WO2022138933A1 - Bite force sensor sheet and oral pressure sensor sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a flexible bite force sensor sheet that is inserted into the mouth and detects bite force of teeth as an electric signal, the sensor sheet having a novel structure that makes it possible to reduce the risk of disconnection and damage to a conductive wire resulting from the effect of the bite force.　Provided is a flexible bite force sensor sheet (12) that is inserted into the mouth and detects bite force of teeth, the sensor sheet having a measurement sheet portion (16) to be placed inside the mouth and a connection sheet portion (18) extending from the measurement sheet portion (16) to the outside of the mouth, wherein: the measurement sheet portion (16) is provided with a pressure sensing part (19) having a pair of electrodes (20), (22), which detect the bite force as an electric signal, disposed so as to face each other in the sheet thickness direction; and reinforcing materials (24), (47), (52) that overlap conductive wires (26), (28) are provided in a wiring part (30) in which the conductive wires (26), (28) are disposed so as to be electrically connected to electrodes (20), (22), respectively, at the measurement sheet portion (16) and to extend to the connection sheet portion (18).

Description

Bite force quotient sensor sheet and oral pressure sensor sheet

The present invention relates to an occlusal force sensor sheet used for detecting occlusal force in the oral cavity and an oral pressure sensor sheet used for detecting occlusal force and tongue pressure in the oral cavity.

It is considered important to maintain a strong bite force that allows food to be chewed sufficiently, and nowadays, prevention of oral frailty and oral hypofunction due to a decrease in bite force quotient or oral dysfunction is considered to be important. Attention is being paid to improvements.

Therefore, it has been conventionally put into practical use to bite a patient with a pressure-sensitive sheet coated with a microencapsulated color-developing agent and detect the strength and distribution of the bite force based on the color-developing state according to the magnitude of the bite force. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-189980 (Patent Document 1)).

However, in order to detect the quotient force by the pressure-sensitive sheet, it is necessary to analyze the image read by the dedicated scanner with a computer, which requires a lot of labor and processing time, and also requires special equipment. there were. Moreover, since the occlusal force is detected from the final color development state of the pressure-sensitive sheet, only the maximum occlusal force can be detected, and the occlusal process cannot be grasped. In addition, if proper occlusion fails, it cannot be redone, and it is necessary to discard the failed pressure-sensitive sheet and provide a new pressure-sensitive sheet, which is environmentally unfavorable.

Therefore, it has been proposed to detect the quotient force using an occlusal force sensor sheet that detects the quotient force applied to the sheet inserted into the oral cavity as an electric signal. Such a quotient force sensor sheet is, for example, as proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-68892 (Patent Document 2), in which a pair of electrodes for detecting the quotient force as an electric signal in a measurement sheet portion inserted into the oral cavity is a sheet. It is provided with pressure-sensitive portions arranged facing each other in the thickness direction.

On the other hand, the tongue has the function of sending food from the oral cavity to the esophagus and pushing the food onto the back teeth, and it is known that not only the quotient force but also the tongue pressure affects the oral function. Therefore, for the detection of tongue pressure, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-75733 (Patent Document 3) proposes a pressure measurement probe with a balloon. Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-144695 (Patent Document 4) also proposes a pressure measuring device capable of measuring tongue pressure integrally with a mouthpiece.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-189980 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-68892 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-75733 JP-A-2015-144695

By the way, as described above, the occlusal force sensor sheet that detects the occlusal force as an electric signal has a measurement sheet portion that is inserted into the oral cavity and a connection sheet portion that extends from the measurement portion to the outside of the oral cavity. In order to take out the electric signal detected by the electrodes provided on the measurement sheet portion, the conductive wire conducted to each electrode is formed so as to extend from the measurement sheet portion to the connection sheet portion.

Then, when inspecting the quotient force, the area where the electrodes are arranged (pressure sensitive part) in the measurement sheet part is aligned with the patient's dentition so that the pressure sensitive part is bitten.

However, the patient may bite the quotient force sensor sheet before the alignment is completed, and the oral cavity is difficult to see and the dentition is not uniform. Therefore, the alignment in the oral cavity is not appropriate. Measurements may be made. In such a case, the quotient force may be exerted on the measurement sheet portion at a position outside the pressure-sensitive portion where the electrodes are arranged.

The quotient force at the time of measurement is very large, and when the quotient force acts on the region (wiring portion) where the conductive wire having a width dimension smaller than that of the electrode is arranged, it deviates from the pressure sensitive portion and acts on the conductive wire. Was at risk of damage or disconnection. Damage or disconnection of the conductive wire has a great adverse effect on the measurement accuracy of the quotient force by the quotient force sensor sheet.

In particular, since the quotient force sensor sheet is in the form of a flexible sheet so that it can be used repeatedly, the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire due to the action of the quotient force becomes even greater.

The present invention relating to the quotient force sensor sheet has been made based on the examination results of the prior art as described above by the present inventor, and the solution is to insert the quotient into the oral cavity and use the quotient force of the teeth as an electric signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a quotient force sensor sheet having a novel structure capable of reducing the risk of damage or disconnection of conductive wires due to the action of occlusal force in a flexible quotient force sensor sheet for detection.

Further, the quotient force sensor sheet described in Patent Document 1 did not consider the detection of tongue pressure. Although it is conceivable to use the tongue pressure sensor described in Patent Document 3 for detecting tongue pressure, the tongue pressure sensor described in Patent Document 3 is bulky and inconvenient to handle and stock, and is taken in and out of the oral cavity. It was also difficult, and the person being measured felt a sense of discomfort, and the labor of the person being measured and the burden on the person being measured were heavy. In addition, the stability of the inflated balloon in the oral cavity was poor, and it was difficult to obtain good measurement accuracy due to deviation during tongue pressure measurement.

On the other hand, the pressure measuring device described in Patent Document 4 is characterized by a mouthpiece type, although measurement of both occlusal force and tongue pressure is taken into consideration, and has a wall portion covering the dentition from the inside, and the inside thereof. Since the wall portion of the tongue is arranged around the tongue when measuring the tongue pressure, the tongue is restrained around the tongue, which inevitably causes a sense of discomfort, which may adversely affect the tongue pressure measurement. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 4, since the pressure measuring device described in Patent Document 4 is a groove type, a plurality of types are prepared according to the patient and used appropriately. It was necessary, and it was troublesome to store, handle, and use, and there was a risk that sufficient practicality could not be obtained.

The present invention relating to an oral pressure sensor sheet has been made based on the above-mentioned examination results of the prior art by the present inventor, and the solution thereof is to reduce the burden on the measurer and the person to be measured. It is an object of the present invention to provide an oral pressure sensor sheet having a novel structure capable of accurately measuring occlusal force and tongue pressure.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for grasping the present invention will be described, but each of the embodiments described below is described as an example, and not only can be appropriately combined with each other and adopted, but also described in each embodiment. The plurality of components of the above can be recognized and adopted independently as much as possible, and can be appropriately adopted in combination with any of the components described in another embodiment. Thereby, in the present invention, various other embodiments can be realized without being limited to the embodiments described below.

The first aspect is a flexible occlusal force sensor sheet that is inserted into the oral cavity to detect the occlusal force of teeth, a measurement sheet portion inserted into the oral cavity and a connection sheet extending from the measurement sheet portion to the outside of the oral cavity. The measurement sheet portion is provided with a pressure-sensitive portion in which a pair of electrodes for detecting the occlusal force as an electric signal are arranged to face each other in the sheet thickness direction, and the measurement sheet portion is provided with a portion. In the wiring portion where the conductive wire conductive to each of the electrodes and extending to the connection sheet portion is arranged, a reinforcing material superposed on the conductive wire is provided.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, since the reinforcing material is superposed on the wiring portion where the conductive wire is arranged in the measurement sheet portion inserted into the oral cavity, the pressure-sensitive portion is temporarily removed when measuring the quotient force. Even when the quotient force is applied, the deformation of the wiring portion can be suppressed by the reinforcing material, and the risk of damage or disconnection of the wiring portion can be reduced.

The occlusal force sensor sheet to which this embodiment is applied may be in the form of a flexible sheet and may have a pressure-sensitive portion capable of detecting the occlusal force as an electric signal, and the pair of electrodes face each other as described later. In addition to the electrostatic capacity type in which an elastically deformable dielectric layer is arranged between the surfaces to detect the occlusal force as an electric signal based on the change in the electrostatic capacity, for example, a piezoelectric layer is arranged between the facing surfaces of a pair of electrodes. A piezoelectric type that detects occlusal force as an electrical signal based on changes in voltage, and an elastically deformable resistance layer such as conductive rubber is arranged between the facing surfaces of a pair of electrodes to occlude as an electrical signal based on changes in electrical resistance. The present invention can be applied to an occlusal force sensor sheet provided with various types of known pressure-sensitive portions such as a resistance type that detects a force.

Further, the reinforcing material in this embodiment may be directly overlapped with the conductive wire in the sheet thickness direction, or may be indirectly overlapped with another member interposed therebetween.

The second aspect is the quotient force sensor sheet according to the first aspect, and also in the connection sheet portion, a reinforcing material superposed on the conductive wire extending from the wiring portion in the measurement sheet portion. Is provided.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire is reduced by the reinforcing material even in the connection sheet portion. That is, since the connection sheet portion extends outward from the oral cavity even when the occlusal force is measured, the occlusal force does not act, but the deformation is not restricted outside the oral cavity, so that the external force acts. Bending or tensioning may occur. According to this aspect, the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire due to such bending or tension can be reduced.

Further, in the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, since bending and the like in the connection sheet portion are suppressed by the reinforcing material, for example, in the connection sheet portion, the tip side opposite to the measurement sheet portion is supported and the measurement sheet portion is placed in the oral cavity. Even when it is inserted into the measuring sheet, bending or bending of the measuring sheet portion is suppressed, and workability can be improved.

The third aspect is the quotient force sensor sheet according to the second aspect, the reinforcing material in the measurement sheet portion described in the first aspect, and the connection described in the second aspect. The reinforcing material in the seat portion is continuously and integrally provided.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, the conductive wire wired from the measurement sheet portion to the connection sheet portion is similarly reinforced by the reinforcing material provided across the measurement sheet portion to the connection sheet portion. Therefore, the degree of reinforcement of the conductive wire in the measurement sheet portion and the connection sheet portion may be substantially the same. In particular, it is effective in reducing the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire near the boundary between the measurement sheet portion and the connection sheet portion.

The fourth aspect is the quotient force sensor sheet according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the reinforcing material is connected from the wiring portion to the pressure sensitive portion in the measurement sheet portion. It is what has been done.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, the pressure-sensitive portion is connected to the wiring portion and a reinforcing material is also provided on the pressure-sensitive portion, so that the pressure-sensitive portion and the wiring portion can be continuously reinforced to the same extent. Especially near the boundary between the pressure-sensitive part and the wiring part, not only is it easy to be bitten by mistake, but also the bite force transmitted from the pressure-sensitive part is large. The concentration of stress and deformation on the wiring portion is alleviated, and the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire can be reduced.

In the fifth aspect, in the occlusal force sensor sheet according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a dielectric layer capable of elastically deforming in the sheet thickness direction is arranged between the facing surfaces of the pair of electrodes. The occlusal force exerted on the pair of electrodes in the facing direction is detected based on the change in capacitance due to the change in the facing distance between the pair of electrodes.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, by adopting the electrostatic capacity type pressure-sensitive part, the acting part of the quotient force locally changes in the sheet thickness direction according to the magnitude of the quotient force. Not only does the patient feel better in the bite, but it is also possible to detect changes in the area of action of the bite force quotient according to the magnitude of the bite force quotient, and the change over time in the bite force quotient is continuously used as an electrical signal. It will also be possible to detect. On the other hand, in the capacitance type pressure-sensitive part, since the thickness of the part where the quotient force acts locally changes, the amount of change applied to the wiring part also increases, and the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire increases. Become. Here, in the present embodiment, by applying the present invention to the occlusal force sensor sheet provided with the capacitance type pressure sensitive portion, the conductivity is maintained while maintaining the merits of the capacitance type pressure sensitive portion as described above. It is possible to reduce the risk of wire damage and disconnection.

The sixth aspect is the flexible first electrode sheet on which one of the pair of electrodes and the conductive wire conducted to the electrode is formed in the occlusal force sensor sheet according to the fifth aspect, and the pair. The other of the electrodes and the flexible second electrode sheet on which the conductive wire conducted to the electrode is formed are overlapped with each other in the sheet thickness direction with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and the first electrode is formed. A resist layer is formed on at least one of the sheet and the second electrode sheet so as to cover the electrode and the conductive wire, and the reinforcing material is formed by the resist layer.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, the electrode sheet is provided with a resist layer that covers and covers the electrode and the conductive wire, thereby skillfully utilizing the resist layer that imparts an insulating function to the electrode and the conductive wire from the electrode. It becomes possible to realize a reinforcing material that exerts a reinforcing action straddling the conductive wire.

The resist layer is, in a narrow sense, formed by a print formation in which a resist material is applied to the electrode sheet so as to cover the electrodes and conductive wires, as well as known print coverlays, film coverlays, and photosensitive layers. Various known cover layers, such as a coverlay, which cover the electrode or the conductive wire and exert a resist force on electrical, mechanical, chemical, thermal, etc. to protect the electrode or the conductive wire can be adopted. However, it is desirable that the resist layer in this embodiment has higher flexibility than a general solder resist layer.

The seventh aspect is that the reinforcing material is configured by the dielectric layer in the quotient force sensor sheet according to the fifth or sixth aspect.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, a reinforcing material that exerts a reinforcing action straddling the conductor portion from the electrode of the pressure sensitive portion is realized by skillfully utilizing the dielectric layer constituting the pressure sensitive portion of the capacitance type. It will be possible to do. In this embodiment, the reinforcing material composed of the dielectric layer is appropriately combined with the reinforcing material composed of the resist layer in the sixth aspect, for example, both reinforcing materials are superposed in the sheet thickness direction, or It is also possible to provide both reinforcing materials at different positions in the plane direction of the sheet (including a partially overlapping mode) and adopt them.

The eighth aspect is the quotient force sensor sheet according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the connection end portion of the conductive wire extending from the measurement sheet portion is positioned on the connection sheet portion. Therefore, a connector portion connected to an external electric circuit is provided, and the reinforcing material is also provided in the connector portion.

In the occlusal force sensor sheet, for example, when the connector portion is connected to an external electric circuit, the connector portion is placed in a constrained state by an external member or device, so that the boundary between the constrained portion and the non-constrained portion in the connector portion is set. Stress and deformation may be concentrated on the conductive wire in the vicinity. In the occlusal force sensor sheet of this embodiment, since the reinforcing material is provided up to the connector portion in the conductive wire in the measurement sheet portion, the connector portion is restrained by an external member or device to prevent deformation. Even in this case, the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire in the vicinity of the boundary between the restrained portion and the non-constrained portion in the connector portion can be reduced.

The ninth aspect is the occlusal force sensor sheet according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the measurement sheet portion is provided with a guide for positioning in the oral cavity.

In the quotient force sensor sheet of this embodiment, the pressure-sensitive portion of the measurement sheet portion can be easily aligned with the patient's dentition by the positioning guide. Therefore, when measuring the quotient force, it becomes easy to avoid the action of the occlusal force on the position outside the pressure sensitive portion, and in combination with the action effect of the reinforcing material as described above, the conductive wire is damaged or broken. Risk mitigation can be achieved more effectively. In particular, in this embodiment, since the positioning guide is provided directly on the measurement sheet portion of the quotient force sensor sheet, excellent positioning accuracy can be realized as compared with the case where the guide is provided on another member. Become.

The positioning guide in this embodiment may be visually recognizable by the quotient force measurer or recognizable by the occlusal force measurer by tactile sensation or the like. Specifically, for example, on the upper surface of the measurement sheet portion, a mark indicating the center position where the front teeth should be abutted may be displayed by printing or the like, or specified on the upper surface or the lower surface of the measurement sheet portion. It is also possible to provide unevenness or the like that indicates the position of the teeth or dentition by tactile sensation.

However, the action and effect of the positioning guide in this embodiment can be grasped independently of the action and effect based on the reinforcing material in the quotient force sensor according to the first to eighth aspects. That is, the quotient force sensor sheet provided with the guide for positioning in the oral cavity in the measurement sheet portion can be recognized as an independent invention without requiring the above-mentioned reinforcing material, and even in such an invention, positioning is possible. The effect of reducing the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire by the guide can be effectively exerted.

The tenth aspect is an oral pressure sensor sheet in which the entire measurement portion to be inserted into the oral cavity is in the shape of a flexible sheet, and the measurement portion has a substantially U-shaped region corresponding to the dentition. An occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion provided to detect the occlusal force as an electric signal, and a tongue pressure-sensitive portion provided in a substantially U-shaped inner region of the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion to detect tongue pressure as an electric signal. However, the mutual positions in the seat surface direction are defined and provided.

According to the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, both the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion are in the form of a flexible, that is, flexible and bendable sheet (for example, occlusal force sensation as described later). (Including the mode in which the thickness dimension is partially changed, such as the sheet thickness being different between the pressure portion and the tongue pressure sensitive portion), the whole spreads substantially corresponding to the in-plane shape of the oral cavity. Therefore, in addition to being easy to insert and remove into the oral cavity, damage to the oral cavity and the like can be avoided, and the burden on the patient can be reduced. In addition, the patient is required to open an excessively large opening when the patient is taken in and out of the oral cavity or measured, and it is possible to suppress a sense of discomfort as compared with the probe type as in Patent Document 3.

Furthermore, since the entire measurement portion is in the shape of a sheet, it can be stably positioned in the oral cavity in a laterally spread state. In particular, when measuring tongue pressure, the presence of not only the tongue pressure measuring part but also the occlusal force pressure-sensitive part extending from there prevents a large displacement, which is compared with the conventional probe type. As a result, alignment is easy and large misalignment during tongue pressure action is prevented, so that measurement defects can be prevented and measurement accuracy can be improved.

Furthermore, since the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment has a sheet shape as a whole and is flexible as a whole, it is possible to measure the quotient force and the tongue pressure while avoiding mutual influences as much as possible. It will be possible. Further, the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment does not need to accurately match the state of the dentition that differs for each patient as compared with the mouthpiece type described in Patent Document 4, and therefore has various teeth. It is possible to avoid the trouble of preparing various types of sensor sheets according to the row mode, and it is possible to easily store them in a smaller space by stacking them.

In the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion and / or the tongue pressure-sensitive portion is formed into a flexible sheet and includes a pressure-sensitive portion capable of detecting the occlusal force and the tongue pressure as an electric signal. As will be described later, an elastically deformable dielectric layer is arranged between the facing surfaces of a pair of electrodes, and a capacitance type that detects occlusal force and tongue pressure as an electric signal based on a change in capacitance. In addition, for example, a piezoelectric layer is arranged between the facing surfaces of a pair of electrodes to detect occlusal force and tongue pressure as an electric signal based on a change in voltage, and conductive rubber is provided between the facing surfaces of the pair of electrodes. For oral pressure sensor sheets equipped with various types of known pressure-sensitive parts, such as a resistance type that detects occlusal force and tongue pressure as an electrical signal based on changes in electrical resistance, with an elastically deformable resistance layer. The present invention can be applied.

The eleventh aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to the tenth aspect, and the tongue pressure sensitive portion has an elastic layer that can be elastically deformed in the sheet thickness direction.

By having an elastic layer in the pressure sensor sheet for oral cavity of this embodiment, it is possible to more accurately follow the shape of the inner surface of the upper jaw and the shape of the upper surface of the tongue when measuring the tongue pressure. As a result, the discomfort of the patient can be further reduced, and the accuracy of pressure measurement can be improved.

The twelfth aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to the eleventh aspect, and the elastic layer of the tongue pressure sensitive portion has the same sheet thickness dimension as a whole in the sheet surface direction. It is partially different.

In the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, it becomes easy to set the elastic layer of the tongue pressure sensitive portion to, for example, a shape suitable for the shape of the oral cavity, a shape suitable for detecting tongue pressure, and the like. The specific shape of the elastic layer is not limited, and may be, for example, a flat plate shape, a hemispherical shape, or may be provided with irregularities. For example, the portion that touches the tongue may be concave so that the tongue can be easily grasped, or the portion that touches the tongue may be convex so that it can be easily wrapped by the tongue. Further, for example, the elastic layer may be deformed from a low pressure by hollowing out the central portion in the surface direction, or the central portion in the thickness direction may be hollow.

The thirteenth aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to the eleventh or twelve aspects, wherein the elastic layer constituting the tongue pressure sensitive portion is a tongue pressure dielectric layer made of a dielectric material. A pair of flexible tongue pressure electrodes are arranged on both sides of the dielectric layer for tongue pressure in the sheet thickness direction, and the tongue pressure is increased based on the change in capacitance due to the change in the facing distance in the pair of tongue pressure electrodes. It is detected as an electrical signal.

In the pressure sensor sheet for oral cavity of this embodiment, by adopting a capacitance type tongue pressure sensitive part, while ensuring the measurement accuracy of tongue pressure, it is compared with a known general piezoelectric type tongue pressure sensitive part. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of design freedom in the tongue pressure-sensitive portion, for example, by realizing the property of being easily elastically deformed in the sheet thickness direction, securing the thickness dimension, and facilitating the shape setting.

A fourteenth aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion is for an occlusal force made of a dielectric that is elastically deformable in the thickness direction. It has a dielectric layer, and a pair of flexible occlusal force electrodes are arranged on both sides of the occlusal force dielectric layer in the sheet thickness direction, due to a change in the facing distance between the pair of occlusal force electrodes. The occlusal force is detected as an electric signal based on the change in the capacitance.

In the pressure sensor sheet for oral cavity of this embodiment, the mouthpiece type described in Patent Document 4 is provided by adopting a capacitance type occlusal force pressure sensitive portion provided with a dielectric that can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction. It becomes easier to reduce the discomfort of the patient when measuring the occlusal force than the pressure measuring device. Further, by sufficiently securing the amount of elastic deformation in the quotient force acting direction, it is possible to easily and accurately detect the increase / decrease in the occlusal force acting area of the upper and lower teeth due to the increase / decrease in the quotient force.

The fifteenth aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to the fourteenth aspect, which includes the tongue pressure sensitive portion according to the thirteenth aspect, and the tongue constituting the tongue pressure sensitive portion. The pressure-sensitive dielectric layer has a higher pressure-sensitive sensitivity than the occlusal force-sensitive dielectric layer constituting the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion.

In the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, it is easy to improve the pressure detection accuracy in the measurement range targeted by each, for example, in consideration of the relative difference in magnitude between the quotient force and the tongue pressure.

The sixteenth aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, which includes the tongue pressure sensitive portion according to the thirteenth aspect, and constitutes the tongue pressure sensitive portion. The tongue pressure dielectric layer is made to have a larger thickness than the occlusal force dielectric layer constituting the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion.

In the pressure sensor sheet for oral cavity of this embodiment, the thickness dimension of each pressure-sensitive part that is more suitable for the measurement of the occlusal force and the measurement of the tongue pressure while ensuring the measurement accuracy of the occlusal force and the tongue pressure. It will also be possible to set. As a result, for example, the patient's discomfort and burden at the time of measurement can be further reduced.

The seventeenth aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, comprising the tongue pressure sensitive portion according to the thirteenth aspect, and the tongue. The tongue pressure-sensitive dielectric layer constituting the pressure-sensitive portion has a smaller elastic repulsive force than the occlusal force-sensitive dielectric layer constituting the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion.

In the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, the relative difference in magnitude between the quotient force and the tongue pressure is taken into consideration, for example, to improve the pressure detection accuracy in the measurement range of each target, or to improve the pressure detection accuracy at the time of measurement. It is also possible to further reduce the discomfort and burden of the.

Eighteenth aspect is that in the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to seventeenth aspects, the tongue pressure sensitive portion is worn on the oral cavity with respect to the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion. They are arranged so as to be located on the side surface side so as to be offset from each other in the sheet thickness direction.

In the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, for example, by locating the entire tongue pressure-sensitive portion (including the outer peripheral edge) below the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion, the patient's tongue is occluded at the time of tongue pressure measurement. It can be easily pressed effectively against the entire tongue pressure-sensitive portion without being disturbed by the force-pressure-sensitive portion. As a result, the discomfort of the patient can be reduced and the accuracy of measuring the tongue pressure can be improved.

In this embodiment, the tongue pressure sensitive portion may be arranged on the lower surface side which is the lingual side with respect to the quotient force pressure sensitive portion, for example, on the upper surface side which is the upper jaw side with respect to the quotient force pressure sensitive portion. May also be placed.

In the nineteenth aspect, in the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to seventeenth aspects, the quotient pressure sensitive portion and the tongue pressure sensitive portion are provided on a common reference plane. As a result, they are spread out in the direction of one seat surface and arranged side by side.

According to the pressure sensor sheet for oral cavity of this embodiment, the overall shape of the pressure-sensitive part can be further simplified, the handling and manufacturing can be facilitated, and the space efficiency at the time of stocking can be further improved. Further, for example, it becomes easy to reduce the thickness of the entire sheet to make it easier to put it in and out of the oral cavity, and to further reduce the discomfort of the patient.

In the twentieth aspect, in the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to nineteenth aspects, the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portions are arranged to face each other in the sheet thickness direction, and the occlusal force is used as an electric signal. In addition to having a pair of occlusal force electrodes to be detected, the tongue pressure sensitive portion is arranged to face each other in the sheet thickness direction and has a pair of tongue pressure electrodes to detect tongue pressure as an electric signal. Moreover, the pair of the occlusal force electrodes and the pair of tongue pressure electrodes are laminated and formed on a common base material on at least one side in the sheet thickness direction.

According to the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, it is possible to simplify the structure and facilitate the manufacture by sharing the base material between the quotient pressure-sensitive portion and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion.

In the twenty-first aspect, in the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to the twentyth aspects, the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portions are arranged to face each other in the sheet thickness direction, and the occlusal force is an electric signal. In addition to having a pair of occlusal force electrodes to detect as, the tongue pressure sensitive portion is arranged to face each other in the sheet thickness direction and has a pair of tongue pressure electrodes to detect tongue pressure as an electric signal. Moreover, the pair of the occlusal force electrodes and the pair of tongue pressure electrodes are both formed of a conductive flexible material made of the same material.

According to the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, since an electrode made of a common material is used for the quotient pressure sensitive portion and the tongue pressure sensitive portion, the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing can be facilitated. In particular, by using one electrode for quotient force and one electrode for tongue pressure as a common electrode, the structure can be further simplified.

The twenty-second aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to twenty-first aspects, wherein the measurement portion is located on the surface side which is the lingual side when worn on the oral cavity. Therefore, a guard electrode is provided to cover each region of the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion so as to overlap each other in the sheet thickness direction.

According to the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, by arranging the guard electrode between the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion and the tongue pressure sensitive portion and the tongue of the detection target person, the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion and the tongue pressure sensitive portion It is possible to improve the detection accuracy by preventing noise due to direct contact between the tongue and the tongue. It is preferable that the guard electrode covering the bite force quotient pressure sensitive portion and the guard electrode covering the tongue pressure sensitive portion are common guard electrodes, thereby simplifying the structure.

The twenty-third aspect is a waterproof cover that covers both the bite force quotient pressure-sensitive portion and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion in the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to twenty-second aspects. The members are detachably provided.

According to the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occlusal force pressure-sensitive part and the tongue pressure-sensitive part from coming into direct contact with saliva in the oral cavity of the detection target, resulting in a decrease in detection accuracy or failure. Be prevented. Moreover, the oral pressure sensor sheet can be easily reused by replacing the removable waterproof cover.

The twenty-fourth aspect is the oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of the tenth to the twenty-third aspects, wherein the measurement portion is provided with a guide for positioning in the oral cavity. ..

According to the oral pressure sensor sheet of this embodiment, the occlusal force pressure-sensitive part is accurately aligned with the patient's dentition by the positioning guide, and the tongue pressure-sensitive part is aligned with the patient's tongue. It becomes easy to align with high accuracy. Therefore, when measuring the quotient force and the tongue pressure, it is possible to easily prevent the quotient force and the tongue pressure from being applied to a position outside each pressure sensitive portion, and the measurement accuracy can be improved. In particular, in this embodiment, since the positioning guide is provided directly on the measurement portion of the oral pressure sensor sheet, excellent positioning accuracy can be realized as compared with the case where the guide is provided on another member. Become.

The positioning guide in this embodiment may be visually recognizable by the quotient force measurer or recognizable by the occlusal force measurer by tactile sensation or the like. Specifically, for example, on the upper surface of the measurement portion, a mark indicating the center position where the front teeth should be abutted may be displayed by printing or the like, or a specific tooth may be displayed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the measurement portion. And unevenness that indicates the position of the dentition or the like by tactile sensation may be provided.

According to the present invention relating to the quotient force sensor sheet, the risk of damage or disconnection of the conductive wire due to the action of the occlusal force is reduced in the flexible quotient force sensor sheet that is inserted into the oral cavity and detects the quotient force of the tooth as an electric signal. Will be possible.

Further, according to the present invention relating to an oral pressure sensor sheet, it is possible to detect occlusal force and tongue pressure by a flexible sheet-shaped pressure sensor inserted into the oral cavity, and to prevent or measure measurement defects. It is possible to provide an oral pressure sensor sheet that can be easily stored, handled and used while improving the accuracy.

A plan view showing an example of a quotient force detection device equipped with a quotient force sensor sheet as the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a main part of the II-II cross section in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a pressure-sensitive portion in a measurement sheet portion, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a connection sheet portion. Top view showing the first electrode sheet constituting the quotient force sensor sheet shown in FIG. Top view showing the second electrode sheet constituting the quotient force sensor sheet shown in FIG. Top view showing the dielectric layer constituting the quotient force sensor sheet shown in FIG. Top view showing the guard electrode layer constituting the quotient force sensor sheet shown in FIG. 1. A plan view showing an example of an oral pressure detection device equipped with an oral pressure sensor sheet as a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a main part of the VIII-VIII cross section in FIG. 7. A vertical cross-sectional view showing an enlarged main part of the IX-IX cross section in FIG. 7. Top view showing the tongue pressure sensor sheet constituting the oral pressure sensor sheet shown in FIG. 7. Top view showing the first electrode sheet for tongue pressure constituting the tongue pressure sensor sheet shown in FIG. A plan view showing a second electrode sheet for tongue pressure constituting the tongue pressure sensor sheet shown in FIG. The plan view which shows the tongue pressure dielectric layer constituting the tongue pressure sensor sheet shown in FIG. The plan view which shows the guard electrode layer for tongue pressure constituting the tongue pressure sensor sheet shown in FIG. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the main part of the oral pressure sensor sheet in another aspect of this invention, and is the figure corresponding to FIG. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the main part of the oral pressure sensor sheet in still another aspect of this invention, and is the figure corresponding to FIG. It is a vertical sectional view which shows the main part of the oral pressure sensor sheet in still another aspect of this invention, and is the figure corresponding to FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the quotient force detecting device 10. The quotient force detection device 10 includes the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 and the control device 14 as the first embodiment of the present invention, and the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 is used to detect the upper and lower teeth of the person (patient). Bite force quotient due to meshing is detected. In the following description, as a general rule, the vertical direction is the sensor thickness direction, which is the opposite direction of the first electrode 20 for occlusal force and the second electrode 22 for occlusal force, which will be described later. Say. Similarly, the anteroposterior direction refers to the up-down direction in FIG. 1, which is substantially the anterior-posterior direction of the patient at the time of measurement, and the direction of insertion into the oral cavity of the patient (upper part in FIG. 1) is the anterior direction. Further, the left-right direction means the left-right direction in FIG. 1, which is substantially right-left direction of the patient at the time of measurement.

More specifically, the quotient force sensor sheet 12 has a flexible and thin sheet shape as a whole, and in the present embodiment, the whole has a shape that spreads out in a plane with a substantially constant thickness. The quotient force sensor sheet 12 includes a quotient force measurement sheet portion 16 inserted into the oral cavity of the detection target, and a quotient force connection sheet portion 18 extending from the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16 to the outside of the oral cavity. Is equipped.

The quotient measuring sheet portion 16 has a planar shape such as a substantially bow shape or a substantially wide horseshoe shape that substantially corresponds to the planar shape of the oral cavity so that it is inserted into the oral cavity and spread out in a planar shape. On the other hand, the quotient connection sheet portion 18 has a substantially strip shape extending outward by a predetermined width from the curved top portion on the rear side of the quotient force measurement sheet portion 16 so as to project outward from the patient's mouth. ing.

Then, the quotient force measuring sheet portion 16 is inserted into the oral cavity and meshed between the upper and lower teeth, so that the pressure exerted by the quotient is used as the quotient force and the quotient force pressure is detected as a region to be detected by an electric signal. It has a part 19. As shown in FIG. 2, in the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19, the pair of electrodes, the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the second electrode 22 for quotient force, are occluded with a dielectric material in the sheet thickness direction. It is configured to be arranged so as to face each other with the force dielectric layer 24 interposed therebetween. In FIG. 2, the thickness is exaggerated for the sake of readability. That is, in this embodiment, the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19 is a region shown in gray shades in FIG. 1, and refers to an arrangement region of cell-shaped quotient force detecting elements 56, which will be described later, and is an adjacent quotient force detecting element 56. , 56 includes a gap.

In the quotient force measuring sheet portion 16, there is a peripheral region around the quotient force pressure sensitive portion 19 in which the quotient force first electrode 20 and the occlusal force second electrode 22 are not arranged so as to face each other. The first conductive wire 26 for quotient as a conductive wire conducted to the first electrode 20 for quotient and the second conductive wire 28 for quotient as a conductive wire conducted to the second electrode 22 for quotient are provided. It is said to be the wiring portion 30 for the bite force quotient.

The first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient provided in the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 continuously extend from the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 to the quotient connecting sheet portion 18. The quotient connecting sheet portion 18 is connected to the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 at one end in the length direction extending back and forth, and is connected to the control device 14 side at the other end in the length direction. A connector portion 32 connected to the electric circuit of the above is provided. In short, the quotient force connection sheet portion 18 has a connector portion 32, and a quotient force connection portion 33 that connects the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16 and the connector portion 32, and the connector portion 32 has a quotient force. It is formed wider than the connection portion 33 for use.

That is, the quotient connection sheet portion 18 is provided with the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient extending over substantially the entire length in the length direction. In the connector portion 32, the connection ends of the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for occlusal force extending from the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16 are exposed, and are attached to and detached from the connector portion on the control device 14 side. By being able to be connected, it is electrically connected to the electric circuit on the side of the control device 14, which is an external electric circuit.

Here, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned quotient force measurement sheet portion 16 and occlusal force connection sheet portion 18 have a plurality of laminated structures throughout. Specifically, the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force (see FIG. 3), the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force (see FIG. 4), and the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force (see FIG. 5). The quotient force sensor sheet 12 is formed with a laminated sheet structure in which the quotient guard electrode layer 38 (see FIG. 6) is laminated and integrated with each other in the sheet thickness direction. In the present embodiment, in the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force, the first substrate 40 for quotient force and the second substrate 48 for quotient force, which will be described later, are transparent members. For example, in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force and the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force pass through the second substrate 48 for quotient force. Is shown. Therefore, when the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force are overlapped with each other in the sheet thickness direction, the first and second electrode sheets 34 and 36 for quotient force are used. , Are superimposed in the orientations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. The first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force are each formed by a conventionally known printing method such as silk screen printing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient has a pair of electrodes (first and second electrodes for quotient 20, 22) on the upper surface of the first substrate 40 for quotient having electrical insulation. On the other hand, it has a structure in which the first electrode 20 for quotient force is formed.

The first substrate 40 for quotient force is in the form of a flexible sheet made of rubber, synthetic resin, elastoma, etc., and the front side portion 41a constituting the measurement sheet portion 16 for occlusal force corresponds to the dentition in a plan view. It has an arch shape or a horseshoe shape, and has a structure in which the rear side portion 41b constituting the occlusal force connecting sheet portion 18 extends straight rearward with a predetermined width at the left and right center of the front side portion 41a.

The first electrode 20 for quotient is formed on the surface of the first substrate 40 for quotient with a conductive paint (conductive flexible material) in which a conductive material such as carbon or silver is mixed with a rubber material or a synthetic resin material. It has the flexibility to be deformed by following the deformation of the first substrate 40 for quotient force. Further, the first electrode 20 for quotient force is formed to be substantially rectangular in a plan view, and is arranged so as to be longitudinal in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, a plurality of first electrodes 20 for quotient force are provided, and nine first electrodes 20 for occlusal force are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction. In the following description, the first electrode 20 for quotient force is referred to as 20a, 20b ... 20i in order from the rear side, but when it is not particularly necessary to distinguish, it is simply referred to as the first electrode 20 for quotient force.

The five rows of first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient on the front side each have portions having substantially constant width dimensions on both the left and right sides sandwiching the recess 42 provided at the front end of the first substrate for quotient 40. At the same time, the portions whose width dimensions are substantially constant on both the left and right sides are connected by the connecting portion 44 whose width dimension is reduced. Each connecting portion 44 is provided so as to bypass the recess 42. As a result, the five rows of first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient force on the front side have substantially rectangular portions on both the left and right sides, but the left and right side portions are connected by the connecting portion 44. , All are formed as one electrode. Further, the four rows of first electrodes 20a to 20d for quotient on the rear side extend substantially straight in the left-right direction with a constant width without providing the connecting portion 44.

The width dimension of the occlusal force first electrode 20 (the portion of the occlusal force first electrodes 20e to 20i that are substantially rectangular on both the left and right sides) is not particularly limited, but is, for example, the size of a general tooth occlusal surface. It is desirable that the width dimension is 2 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Further, the distance between the first electrodes 20 and 20 for quotient adjacent to each other in the width direction is preferably as small as possible in consideration of measurement error, manufacturing error and the like, and may be, for example, 0.025 mm or more and 5 mm or less. desirable.

Further, the first conductive wire 26 for quotient is electrically connected to the first electrode 20 for quotient. The first quotient conductive wire 26 is formed in a laminated state on the first substrate 40 for quotient by using a conductive paint or the like, and has a narrower width than the first electrode 20 for quotient. The first conductive wire 26 for quotient is electrically connected to the first electrode 20 for quotient by extending substantially the center in the width direction of the first electrode 20 for quotient over substantially the entire length. There is. Further, the first conductive wire 26 for quotient has the same flexibility as the first electrode 20 for quotient, and is capable of following the deformation of the first substrate 40 for quotient. In some of the first electrodes 20 for quotient, the first conductive wire 26 for quotient extends outward from the outer peripheral edge of the first electrode 20 for quotient in the direction in which the first conductive wire 26 is drawn out. The protruding portion is formed in a tapered shape, and the stress concentration on the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force at the end edge portion of the first electrode 20 for quotient force is reduced. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force is provided on the lower surface of the first electrode 20 for quotient force, respectively, but the first electrode for quotient force 20 It may be formed on the upper surface.

Each quotient first conductive wire 26 continuously extends from one end in the length direction to the other end in the length direction of the first electrode 20 for quotient force, and at the other end in the length direction. It bends to the rear side and extends backward while being curved along the side edge portion of the front side portion 41a constituting the occlusal force measuring sheet portion 16 in the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force. In particular, a connecting portion 44 is provided at the intermediate portion in the length direction of the first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient force, and the first conductive wire 26 for occlusal force is the length of the first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient force. It extends over the connecting portion 44 from one end in the direction to the other end in the length direction. Each quotient first conductive wire 26 extends substantially straight rearward at the rear side portion 41b constituting the occlusal force connection sheet portion 18 in the quotient force first electrode sheet 34, and is a connection end portion. At the rear end, it is connected to the first terminal 46 for quoting force. That is, in the present embodiment, one bite force quotient first conductive wire 26 is provided for each one bite force quotient first electrode 20, and the plurality of the bite force quotient first conductive wires 26 are provided. From the first electrode 20 for each quotient force to the first terminal 46 for each quotient force, they are formed so as to extend substantially in parallel.

Each quotient first terminal 46 is exposed to the outside in the connector portion 32 of the quotient connection sheet portion 18, and is on the side of the control device 14 when the quotient force sensor sheet 12 is connected to the control device 14. It is designed to be electrically connected to an electric circuit. The side on which the first conductive wire 26 for quotient extends from the first electrodes 20a to 20i for quotient is alternately set on the left and right sides of the first electrodes 20a to 20i for quotient arranged in the front-rear direction. .. As a result, on both the left and right sides, the first conductive wire for quotient adjacent to each other in the wiring portion 30 for quotient, which is a peripheral region provided around the pressure sensitive portion 19 for quotient force and to which the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force is wired. The width dimension of the quotient wiring portion 30 can be set small while ensuring the distance between the wirings of the wires 26. Further, the exposure of the first terminal 46 for quotient force to the outside may be exposed, for example, on the upper surface of the first substrate 40 for quotient force, or may be exposed through a through hole provided in the first substrate 40 for occlusal force. You can also.

The first electrode 20 for quotient force and the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force may be made of the same material, but in the present embodiment, the first electrode 20 for quotient force is conductive using a carbon filler. In addition to being formed of paint, the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force is formed of conductive paint using silver paste. As a result, the wide first electrode 20 for quotient force is formed of an inexpensive material, and the narrowed first conductive wire 26 for occlusal force is made of a material having lower electrical resistance. ..

Further, a resist layer 47 made of an insulating synthetic resin is provided on the surface (upper surface) of the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force. The resist layer 47 is provided so as to cover the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force. It may be provided over the entire surface of the front side portion 41a to be configured, or may be provided over the entire surface of the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force. In the present embodiment, the resist layer 47 is provided over the entire surface of the upper surface of the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force. The resist layer 47 can be formed, for example, as a transparent or opaque layer. As the resist layer 47, for example, a solder resist generally provided on a printed circuit board can be adopted. In particular, since the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force is flexible and deformable, the resist layer 47 is also flexibly formed and can be deformed following the deformation of the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force.

In the present embodiment, since the resist layer 47 is provided over the entire surface of the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force, it is used for occlusal force in the occlusal force measuring sheet portion 16 in the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force. A resist layer 47 is also provided in a portion constituting the wiring portion 30. Since the resist layer 47 has a certain level of strength, the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force arranged in the wiring portion 30 for quotient force can be reinforced. That is, in the present embodiment, the resist layer 47 constitutes a reinforcing material that is superposed on the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force in the wiring portion 30 for quotient force and reinforces the first conductive wire 26 for occlusal force. This reinforcing material (resist layer 47) is provided so as to be connected from the quotient force wiring portion 30 to the quotient force pressure sensitive portion 19. In particular, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing material (resist layer 47) is provided not only in the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 but also in the quotient connecting sheet portion 18, and the reinforcing material (resist layer 47) is the connector portion. It is also provided in 32. The resist layer 47 continuously and integrally provides the reinforcing material in the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 and the reinforcing material in the quotient connecting sheet portion 18.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient is paired with the lower surface of the flexible second substrate 48 for quotient having electrical insulation made of rubber, synthetic resin, elastoma, or the like. It has a structure in which a second electrode 22 for quotient force, which is the other of the electrodes (first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force), is arranged.

The second substrate 48 for occlusal force has substantially the same shape as the first substrate 40 for occlusal force as a whole, and the front side portion 49a constituting the occlusal force measuring sheet portion 16 has an arch shape corresponding to the dentition in a plan view. Or, it has a horseshoe shape, and has a structure in which the rear side portion 49b constituting the occlusal force connection sheet portion 18 extends rearward at the center of the left and right sides of the front side portion 49a.

Like the first electrode 20 for quotient force, the second electrode 22 for quotient force is made of a conductive paint (conductive flexible material) in which a conductive material such as carbon or silver is mixed with a rubber material or a synthetic resin material. It is formed on the surface of the second base material for quotient force 48, and has flexibility capable of following the deformation of the second base material for occlusal force 48. Further, the second electrode 22 for quotient force is formed to be substantially rectangular in a plan view, and is arranged so as to be longitudinal in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, a plurality of second electrodes 22 for quotient force are provided, and ten second electrodes 22 for quotient force are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. In the following description, the second electrode 22 for quotient force is referred to as 22a, 22b ... 22j in order from the left side, but when it is not particularly necessary to distinguish, it is simply referred to as the second electrode 22 for quotient force. The width dimension and the interval of the second electrode 22 for quotient force are set in the same manner as, for example, the first electrode 20 for quotient force.

Further, the second conductive wire 28 for quotient is electrically connected to the second electrode 22 for quotient. The second conductive wire 28 for quotient is formed on the surface of the second substrate 48 for quotient by a conductive paint or the like, like the first conductive wire 26 for quotient, and the second substrate 48 for quotient It has the flexibility to follow the deformation. The second conductive wire 28 for quotient of the present embodiment has a narrower width than the second electrode 22 for quotient, and is overlapped with the second electrode 22 for quotient and extends in a laminated state to occlude. It is electrically connected to the second force electrode 22. In the present embodiment, the second electrode 22 for quotient is formed of a conductive paint using a carbon filler like the first electrode 20 for quotient, and the second conductive wire 28 for quotient is for quotient. Like the first conductive wire 26, it is formed of a conductive paint using a silver paste. In particular, in the present embodiment, the second conductive wire 28 for quotient force is provided on the upper surface of the second electrode 22 for quotient force, respectively, but it may be formed on the lower surface of the second electrode 22 for quotient force.

In the present embodiment, a total of 10 second electrodes 22a to 22j for quotient force are provided in parallel in the adjacent left-right directions at a predetermined distance from each other in a manner extending in the front-rear direction with a substantially constant width dimension. There is. The four second electrodes 22a to 22d and 22g to 22j for quotient on both the left and right sides are measured for quotient on the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient so as to avoid the central recess 42 to the left and right. Along the side edge of the front side portion 49a constituting the seat portion 16, the two electrodes 22e and 22f for quotient force in the center in the left-right direction are rearward while being inclined toward the center side in the left-right direction toward the rear. It extends straight to. The second conductive wire 28 for quotient is located substantially in the center of the second electrodes 22a to 22j for quotient in the width direction (left-right direction) and extends over the entire length in the length direction, and is used for each quotient force. It extends rearward from the front end of the second electrode 22 and extends to the rear side portion 49b constituting the quotient connection sheet portion 18. In the rear side portion 49b constituting the quotient connection sheet portion 18, a plurality of second conductive wires 28 for quotient force are parallel to each other and extend straight rearward. A second terminal 50 for quotient force is connected to the rear end portion which is a connection end portion of each second conductive wire 28 for quotient force, and is exposed to the outside at the connector portion 32 of the connection sheet portion 18 for quotient force. ing. Further, the exposure of the second terminal 50 for quotient to the outside may be exposed to, for example, the lower surface of the second substrate 48 for quotient force, or may be exposed through a through hole provided in the second substrate 48 for quotient force. You can also. As a result, when the quotient force sensor sheet 12 is connected to the control device 14, each quotient force second terminal 50 is conductively connected to the electric circuit on the control device 14 side.

Further, a resist layer 52 made of an insulating synthetic resin is provided on the surface (lower surface) of the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force. The resist layer 52 is provided so as to cover the second electrode 22 for quotient force and the second conductive wire 28 for quotient force, similarly to the resist layer 47 in the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force. In the embodiment, the resist layer 52 is provided on the lower surface of the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force over the entire surface. The resist layer 52 can be formed, for example, as a transparent or opaque layer.

That is, in the present embodiment, the resist layer 52 constitutes a reinforcing material that is superposed on the second conductive wire 28 for quotient force in the wiring portion 30 for quotient force and reinforces the second conductive wire 28 for quotient force. This reinforcing material (resist layer 52) is provided so as to be connected from the quotient force wiring portion 30 to the quotient force pressure sensitive portion 19. In particular, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing material (resist layer 52) is provided not only in the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 but also in the quotient connecting sheet portion 18, and the reinforcing material (resist layer 52) is the connector portion. It is also provided in 32. The resist layer 52 continuously and integrally provides the reinforcing material in the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 and the reinforcing material in the quotient connecting sheet portion 18.

Further, in the present embodiment, the guide 54 for positioning the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 in the oral cavity is provided in the occlusal force measuring sheet portion 16 of the occlusal force sensor sheet 12. For example, the guide 54 is provided so as to project outward from the outer surface of the quotient force sensor sheet 12 at least in the vertical direction, and in the present embodiment, the guide 54 projects upward from the upper surface of the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force. ing. In particular, in the present embodiment, the guide 54 is provided at the center of the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force in the left-right direction behind the second electrode 22 for quotient force. The shape of the guide 54 is not limited, but is formed in a block shape having a certain height dimension, for example. By providing such a guide 54, when the quotient force sensor sheet 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of the patient, the upper front tooth or upper lip of the patient comes into contact with the guide 54, and the quotient force sensor further increases. The insertion of the sheet 12 is restricted, and the substantially central position can be recognized through tactile and visual senses. As a result, the patient can consciously or objectively position the quotient force sensor sheet 12 in the oral cavity at an appropriate position by the measurer or the like. From such a state, when the patient bites the quotient force sensor sheet 12, the patient can bite the quotient force sensor sheet 12 without being disengaged from the quotient force pressure sensitive portion 19, and can stably exert the occlusal force on the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion 19.

As shown in FIG. 2, the occlusal force dielectric layer 24 is arranged between the facing surfaces of the occlusal force first electrode sheet 34 and the occlusal force second electrode sheet 36 as described above. The first electrode sheet 34 for quotient and the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force are overlapped with each other with the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force interposed therebetween in the sheet thickness direction. The quotient dielectric layer 24 has a sheet shape formed of an electrically insulating material such as rubber or synthetic resin, and elastic compression deformation is allowed in the vertical direction, which is the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the quotient dielectric layer 24 of the present embodiment has an outer peripheral shape and a size substantially corresponding to the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force in a plan view. The front side portion 55a constituting the quotient force measurement sheet portion 16 is arch-shaped or horseshoe-shaped, and the rear side portion 55b constituting the occlusal force connection sheet portion 18 is the front side portion 55a. It has a structure that extends rearward at the center of the left and right.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the front side portion 41a, wherein the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force, the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force, and the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force constitute the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16. In 49a and 55a, they are overlapped over almost the entire surface. That is, the quotient dielectric layer 24 is totally connected not only to the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19 in the quotient force measurement sheet portion 16 but also to the occlusal force wiring portion 30 in the quotient force measurement sheet portion 16. It is superposed in a state where it spreads continuously. Since the quotient dielectric layer 24 has a certain level of strength, the quotient first and / or second conductive wires 26, which are arranged in the quotient wiring portion 30 by the quotient dielectric layer 24, 28 can be reinforced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing material for reinforcing the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient arranged in the wiring portion 30 for quotient is also configured by the dielectric layer 24 for quotient. Further, it can be understood that this reinforcing material (dielectric layer 24 for quotient force) is connected to the wiring portion 30 for quotient force and is provided up to the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion 19.

Further, the rear end of the quotient dielectric layer 24 is a connector behind the quotient measuring sheet portion 16, specifically, a connector which is an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the quotient connecting portion 33 in the quotient connecting sheet portion 18. It is located near the part 32. Therefore, in the present embodiment, also in the quotient connecting sheet portion 18, the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient are reinforced by the dielectric layer 24 for quotient as a reinforcing material. In short, the quotient dielectric layer 24 continuously and integrally provides the reinforcing material in the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 and the reinforcing material in the quotient connecting sheet portion 18. In FIG. 2B, in the portion behind the occlusal force dielectric layer 24, the occlusal force first electrode sheet 34 and the occlusal force second electrode sheet 36 are separated from each other in the vertical direction. However, FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross section of the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 as a model. For example, the first electrode sheet 34 for occlusal force and the second electrode sheet 36 for occlusal force are at the rear ends. The first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and the second electrode sheet 36 for occlusal force do not have to be separated from each other by being fixed to each other.

The quotient dielectric layer 24 is preferably a porous elastic body having a large number of bubbles, and it is possible to obtain a large capacitance in the quotient force detecting element 56, which will be described later, and also. The Young's modulus in the thickness direction is reduced. Specifically, the quotient dielectric layer 24 is formed of foams of various synthetic resins such as polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

Then, the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force are overlapped with each other with the dielectric layer 24 for occlusal force interposed therebetween, so that the occlusal force is occluded as shown in FIGS. The first electrode 20 for force and the second electrode 22 for quotient are arranged so as to cross and face each other with the dielectric layer 24 for quotient interposed therebetween. In 20i, the left and right side portions excluding the connecting portion 44) and the crossing facing portions of the second electrode 22 for quoting force are the occlusal force detecting element 56. In the present embodiment, the first electrodes 20a to 20i for each quotient force extend substantially in the left-right direction, the second electrodes 22a to 22j for each quotient force extend substantially in the front-rear direction, and the first electrodes for each quotient force extend. Since 20a to 20i and the second electrodes 22a to 22j for each quotient force have substantially the same width dimension, a plurality of occlusal force detecting elements 56 are formed in a substantially square or substantially rhombic shape in a plan view. ..

In each of the occlusal force detecting elements 56, a dielectric layer 24 for occlusal force having a large dielectric constant is arranged between the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the second electrode 22 for occlusal force, which are conductors, and each of them is arranged. It constitutes a capacitor. Further, since each one of the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the second electrode 22 for quotient force is overlapped on both sides of the dielectric layer 24 for occlusal force in the thickness direction, the dielectric layer 24 for occlusal force is for occlusal force. Elastic compression deformation is allowed in the opposite direction of the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 22 for quotient force. Then, in the occlusal force detecting element 56, the occlusal force first electrode 20 and the occlusal force second electrode 22 are applied in a state where the detection voltage is applied between the occlusal force first electrode 20 and the occlusal force second electrode 22. By changing the distance between the facing surfaces, the electrostatic capacity of the quotient force detecting element 56 can be changed. In the present embodiment, the plurality of quotient force detecting elements 56 are arranged in a substantially wide U-shape corresponding to the dentition.

Preferably, the quotient force detecting element 56 has a front-rear dimension and a left-right dimension of 4 mm to 10 mm, respectively. Further, preferably, 4 to 256 quoting force detecting elements 56 are provided as a whole. Further, in the orthogonal direction of the dentition, it is preferable that four or more occlusal force detecting elements 56 are arranged side by side, particularly in the anteroposterior direction in the central front tooth corresponding portion and in the left-right direction in the back tooth corresponding portions on both sides. It is preferable that the effective width dimension of the detection region in which the force detecting element 56 is arranged is 20 mm or more in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction on both sides of the center.

Further, on the surface (lower surface) of the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force opposite to the surface on which the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force is superposed, that is, the surface side (lower side) that becomes the lingual side when worn on the oral cavity. Is superposed with a guard electrode layer 38 for quotient force. As shown in FIG. 6, the quotient guard electrode layer 38 has a shape similar to that of the first and second substrates 40 and 48 for quotient, and is a flexible third substrate for quotient formed of the same material. It has a structure in which a guard electrode 60 is formed on the upper surface of the 58. The guard electrode 60 is made of a conductive material and has flexibility like the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force, and has a plurality of occlusal force detecting elements 56 (bite force quotient feeling) in vertical projection. It has a shape that covers almost the entire compression portion 19). That is, in the present embodiment, the guard electrode 60 is substantially U-shaped.

Further, the guard electrode layer 38 for quotient force is formed in a laminated state in which the ground wiring 62 connected to the guard electrode 60 is overlapped. The ground wiring 62 is electrically connected to the guard electrode 60 and extends rearward from the guard electrode 60, and is connected to a ground terminal 64 provided at the rear end of the third base 58 for quotient force. Has been done. The ground wiring 62 is preferably made of a material having an electric resistance smaller than that of the guard electrode 60, and is also formed on the guard electrode 60. In the present embodiment, the resist layer 65 is also provided on the quotient guard electrode layer 38, and particularly in the present embodiment, the resist layer 65 covers the entire surface (upper surface) of the quotient guard electrode layer 38. Is provided. The resist layer 65 can be formed, for example, as a transparent or opaque layer.

Furthermore, the reinforcing sheet 66 is overlapped and fixed to the connector portion 32 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the reinforcing sheet 66 is overlapped and fixed to the outer surface (upper surface) of the rear end portion of the second substrate 48 for quotient force, and is fixed to the second substrate for quotient force in a plan view. It covers one terminal 46, the second terminal 50 for quotient force, and the ground terminal 64, respectively, and partially overlaps with the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force in the front-rear direction. The reinforcing sheet 66 has substantially the same shape as the rear end portions of the first and second electrode sheets 34 and 36 for quotient force, and is preferably the first and second substrates 40, 48 and the like for quotient force. Formed from a hard synthetic resin with greater strength. In the present embodiment, since the control device 14 is connected to the connector portion 32, the reinforcing sheet 66 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin.

By providing such a reinforcing sheet 66, it is possible to reinforce the second conductive wire 28 for quotient provided on the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient in the connector portion 32 of the connection sheet portion 18 for quotient force. .. Further, the reinforcing sheet 66 overlaps with the quotient dielectric layer 24 in the front-rear direction, and the reinforcing sheet 66 is provided on the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force via the quotient force dielectric layer 24. The first conductive wire 26 for quotient force is reinforced. That is, the reinforcing material for reinforcing the first and / or second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient from the connector portion 32 of the connection sheet portion 18 for quotient force to the connection portion 33 for quotient force is also composed of the reinforcing sheet 66. Has been done.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the quotient dielectric layer 24 is provided from the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12 to the front-back intermediate portion of the quotient force connecting portion 33 of the quotient force connecting sheet portion 18. In addition, the reinforcing sheet 66 is provided from the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 33 for quotient force to the connector portion 32, and the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force and the reinforcing sheet 66 overlap each other. .. Therefore, the quotient dielectric layer 24 and the reinforcing sheet 66 can also reinforce the quotient first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 over the entire length of the quotient sensor sheet 12. Further, the concentration relaxation of strain and stress at the boundary portion between the quotient dielectric layer 24 and the reinforcing sheet 66 is also attempted.

As described above, the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force, the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force, the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force, the guard electrode layer 38 for quotient force, and the reinforcing sheet 66 are overlapped and fixed to each other. , The quotient force sensor sheet 12 of this embodiment is configured. The first electrode sheet 34 for quotient, the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient, the dielectric layer 24 for quotient, the guard electrode layer 38 for quotient, and the reinforcing sheet 66 are conventionally known for adhesion, welding, and the like. Can be fixed by method. In the present embodiment, for example, at the rear end of the quotient force sensor sheet 12, the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force, the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force, the guard electrode layer 38 for quotient force, and the reinforcing sheet 66 are provided. A rigid holding member 67 that is sandwiched and fixed from both the upper and lower sides can be attached. By connecting the holding member 67 to the control device 14, the first terminal 46 for quotient force, the second terminal 50 for quotient force, and the ground terminal 64 in the connector portion 32 are electrically connected to the control device 14. It has become like. For example, in FIG. 2B, the internal space formed between the facing surfaces of the upper and lower resist layers 47 and 52 is opened rearward in the connector portion 32, and the through window provided in each of the resist layers 47 and 52 is used. By exposing the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force to the internal space, the connection terminal formed in the connector portion on the control device 14 side is inserted into the internal space, and the first and second quotient force wires 26 and 28 are inserted into the internal space. (Ii) It may be made conductive to the conductive wires 26 and 28.

The quotient force measuring sheet portion 16 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12 is covered with, for example, a waterproof cover 68. The waterproof cover 68 is made of a synthetic resin material or the like, which has water resistance to prevent the passage of water and corrosion resistance to the oral environment and is not harmful to the human body even when placed in the oral cavity. Specifically, for example, the waterproof cover 68 is formed by welding upper and lower plastic films having a substantially quadrangular shape to each other on three sides of the outer circumference to form a bag shape, and is formed on the front side of the quotient measuring sheet portion 16. It is designed to be removable from the top. The waterproof cover 68 of the present embodiment covers the entire quotient measuring sheet portion 16 provided with the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force. For example, the quotient force measuring sheet portion 16 is provided. Not only that, the structure may cover almost the entire connection sheet portion 18 for quotient force. Further, the waterproof cover 68 is easily attached to and detached from the quotient force measuring sheet portion 16. For example, the quotient force measuring sheet portion 16 covered with the waterproof cover 68 is taken out from the oral cavity of the detection target person. After that, if the waterproof cover 68 is replaced with a new one, the quotient force sensor sheet 12 can be easily reused while maintaining the cleanliness of the quotient force measuring sheet portion 16.

Further, the connector portion 32 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12 is connected to the control device 14 as shown in FIG. For example, the first terminal 46 for quotient force, the second terminal 50 for quotient force, and the ground terminal 64 located in the connector portion 32 are connected to the control device 14. By connecting the ground terminal 64 to the control device 14, the guard electrode 60 may be grounded so that the guard electrode 60 is maintained at the reference potential. Further, the control device 14 is connected to the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force by the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force, and is connected to the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the occlusal force. A power supply device that applies a voltage for measuring capacitance between the second electrodes 22, a detection means that detects the amount of change in capacitance in each bite force quotient detection element 56, and a detection result of capacitance by the detection means. It may be provided with the occlusal force calculation means for calculating the occlusal force based on the above.

Hereinafter, a specific example of a method for detecting an occlusal force in a detection target person using the occlusal force detecting device 10 provided with the quotient force sensor sheet 12 of the present embodiment will be described. The method for detecting the quotient force is not limited to the method described below.

First, the first and second terminals 46 and 50 for quotient force of the quotient force sensor sheet 12 and the ground terminal 64 are connected to the control device 14, and the waterproof cover 68 is attached to the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16. .. Next, the power of the control device 14 is turned on, the application of the detection voltage between the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for the quotient force by the power supply device of the control device 14 is started, and the detection means of the control device 14 is started. The detection of the capacitance of each quotient force detecting element 56 and the calculation of the quotient force by the quotient force calculating means based on the capacitance value detected by the detecting means are started.

Then, the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16 of the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 is inserted between the upper and lower teeth in the oral cavity of the detection target person, and the plurality of occlusal force detection elements 56 arranged in a U shape are detected by the detection target person. Hold in the position corresponding to the dentition of. The positioning of the quotient force sensor sheet 12 is achieved by, for example, a guide 54 provided on the quotient force measuring sheet portion 16. The guide 54 may be configured by, for example, a scale or a mark printed on the upper surface of the second substrate 48 for quotient force, in addition to the protrusion protruding outward from the quotient force sensor sheet 12 as described above. ..

The quotient force sensor sheet 12 is inserted into the oral cavity of the detection target person with the occlusal force guard electrode layer 38 facing the lingual side of the detection target person with respect to the occlusal force first and second electrode sheets 34 and 36. .. As a result, the noise caused by the tongue of the detection target contacting the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 is reduced by the guard electrode 60, and the detection accuracy is improved.

Next, the detection target person is instructed to bite the bite force sensor sheet 12, and the bite force of the detection target person is made to act on the bite force pressure sensitive portion 19 of the bite force sensor sheet 12. Then, when the detection target bites the quotient force pressure-sensitive portion 19 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12, the quotient force dielectric layer 24 of the quotient force pressure-sensitive portion 19 is compressed up and down between the upper and lower teeth of the detection target person. At the same time, the first electrode 20 for quotient and the second electrode 22 for quotient provided on one side of the upper and lower sides of the dielectric layer 24 for quotient are displaced from each other according to the applied quotient force. Be done. As a result, the capacitance of the occlusal force detecting element 56 on which the occlusal force acts increases.

The change in capacitance was detected by the detecting means in the control device 14, and the change in capacitance detected by the detecting means acted on each quotient force detecting element 56 by the quotient force calculating means in the control device 14. Calculated as Bite Force Quotient. By displaying the quotient force calculated in this way on, for example, a monitor connected to the control device 14, the quotient force can be detected by the quotient force detecting device 10. That is, the occlusal force exerted in the facing direction of the pair of electrodes (first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force) is the opposite distance of the pair of electrodes (first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force). It is detected based on the change in capacitance due to the change.

According to the quotient force sensor sheet 12 of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the occlusal force wiring portion to which the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force are arranged in the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16. The 30 is provided with a reinforcing material for reinforcing the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force, and the reinforcing material is the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the second electrode 22 for quotient force. It is composed of a dielectric layer 24 for quotient arranged between them, and resist layers 47 and 52 provided on a first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and a second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force. By providing the reinforcing material in the quotient force wiring portion 30 in this way, for example, when the quotient force is detected, even if the quotient force pressure sensitive portion 19 is disengaged and the quotient force wiring portion 30 is bitten. It is possible to prevent the quotient wiring portion 30 from being significantly deformed, and to reduce the risk of damage or disconnection of the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force.

Further, the reinforcing material as described above is provided not only in the measuring sheet portion 16 for quotient force but also in the connecting sheet portion 18 for quotient force, and the reinforcing material in the connecting sheet portion 18 for occlusal force is a dielectric for occlusal force. It is composed of not only the layer 24 and the resist layers 47 and 52 but also the reinforcing sheet 66. As a result, even when the quotient connection sheet portion 18 is greatly bent or pulled, damage or disconnection of the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force can be prevented. In particular, in the present embodiment, a reinforcing sheet 66 for reinforcing the connector portion 32 of the quotient connection sheet portion 18 is provided, and the quotient force is used before and after the connector portion 32 is connected to the control device 14. It can be avoided that the first and second conductive wires 26, 28 are damaged or broken.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the resist layers 47 and 52 are provided over substantially the entire first and second electrode sheets 34 and 36 for quotient force, reinforcement in the quotient force measurement sheet portion 16 is provided. The material and the reinforcing material in the quoting force connecting sheet portion 18 are continuously and integrally provided. Further, the quotient dielectric layer 24 is provided so as to straddle the occlusal force measuring sheet portion 16 and the occlusal force connecting sheet portion 18, which also provides a reinforcing material and occlusal force in the occlusal force measuring sheet portion 16. It can be grasped that the reinforcing material in the connection sheet portion 18 is continuously and integrally provided. As a result, the reinforcing material is continuously provided at the boundary portion between the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 and the occlusal force connecting sheet portion 18, and the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for occlusal force at the boundary portion are continuously provided. Damage and disconnection can be prevented.

Furthermore, since the reinforcing material is composed of the resist layers 47 and 52 and the quotient dielectric layer 24, the quotient force is connected to the occlusal force wiring portion 30 in the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16 in the occlusal force measurement sheet portion 16. It is provided up to the pressure sensitive portion 19. As a result, the reinforcing material is continuously provided at the boundary portion between the quotient force wiring portion 30 and the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion 19, and the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for occlusal force are damaged at the boundary portion. And disconnection can be prevented.

Further, the quotient force sensor sheet 12 of the present embodiment includes a dielectric layer 24 for quotient force and a pair of electrodes (first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force) located on both sides thereof, and is static. It uses a capacitance type sensor. Thereby, the change in the facing distance between the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for the quotient force due to the biting of the quotient force sensor sheet 12 can be detected as the quotient force. In particular, by providing a reinforcing material on the capacitance type quotient force sensor sheet 12, damage and disconnection of the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force due to biting are suppressed, so that the occlusal force is suppressed. Can be detected stably.

Then, the reinforcing material can be composed of the resist layers 47 and 52 as described above. The resist layer is generally provided for the purpose of protecting the conductive wires and electrodes, but by providing the resist layer on the quotient force sensor sheet 12 as a reinforcing material, damage or disconnection of the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force is suppressed. Therefore, the quotient force can be stably detected.

Further, the reinforcing material can also be formed by the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force as described above. By skillfully using the quotient dielectric layer 24 required for adopting the capacitance type sensor as a reinforcing material, it is not necessary to separately provide a reinforcing material, and the number of parts and the cost are avoided. It is also possible to use the resist layers 47 and 52 and the quotient dielectric layer 24 in combination as a reinforcing material, whereby the first and second conductive wires for quotient force are not adopted without adopting a complicated configuration. The effect of preventing damage and disconnection of 26 and 28 can be more reliably exerted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing sheet 66 as a reinforcing material is also provided in the connector portion 32 connected to the control device 14 in the quotient force sensor sheet 12. For example, if a large external force is applied to the first and second conductive wires for quotient while the connector and the control device are connected, the first and second conductive wires for quotient may be damaged or broken. Therefore, by providing a reinforcing material (reinforcing sheet 66) in the connector portion 32, damage or disconnection of the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force is avoided, and the quotient force is stably detected. can do. Further, by providing the reinforcing material (reinforcing sheet 66) in the connector portion 32, the shape of the connector portion 32 can be easily maintained, so that the efficiency of the connection work between the connector portion 32 and the control device 14 can be improved. ..

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force is provided with a guide 54 for positioning in the oral cavity. As a result, the teeth of the patient and the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19 in the quotient force sensor sheet 12 can be aligned with each other, for example, by biting the quotient force wiring portion 30 detached from the quotient force pressure sensitive portion 19. The risk of damage or breakage of the first and second conductive wires 26 and 28 for quotient force can be reduced.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show an example of the oral pressure detector 80. The oral pressure detection device 80 includes an oral pressure sensor sheet 82 and a control device 14 as a second embodiment of the present invention. In the oral pressure sensor sheet 82, the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 shown in the first embodiment and the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 shown in FIG. 10 are superposed in a laminated state, and the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 is used. The occlusal force due to the engagement of the upper and lower teeth of the detection target (patient) is detected, and the tongue pressure, which is the force of contact between the patient's tongue and the upper jaw, is detected by the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84. In the following description, as a general rule, the vertical direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 7, which is the sensor thickness direction and the overlapping direction of the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 and the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84. The front-back direction means the vertical direction in FIG. 7, and the left-right direction means the left-right direction in FIG. 7.

More specifically, the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 includes a measurement portion 86a inserted into the oral cavity of the detection target and a connection portion 86b extending from the measurement portion 86a to the outside of the oral cavity. The oral pressure sensor sheet 82 has at least the entire measurement portion 86a in the form of a flexible sheet. The quotient force sensor sheet 12 is provided with a quotient force measurement sheet portion 16 constituting the measurement portion 86a, and is provided with an occlusal force connection sheet portion 18 constituting the connection portion 86b. Further, the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 is provided with a tongue pressure measuring portion 92 described later which constitutes the measuring portion 86a, and is provided with a tongue pressure connecting sheet portion 94 which is described later and constitutes the connecting portion 86b.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 has a flexible and thin sheet shape as a whole. At the front portion of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84, a tongue pressure measuring portion 92 constituting the measuring portion 86a of the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 is provided. At the rear portion of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84, a tongue pressure connection sheet portion 94 constituting the connection portion 86b of the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 is provided. The tongue pressure measuring portion 92 and the tongue pressure connecting sheet portion 94 are connected by a pair of connecting portions 96, 96 on both the left and right sides.

The tongue pressure measuring portion 92 of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 has a rectangular shape with substantially rounded corners in a plan view. Further, the tongue pressure connecting sheet portion 94 has the same shape as the quotient connecting sheet portion 18 in a plan view, and extends straight in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the tongue pressure connecting sheet portion 94 includes a tongue pressure connecting portion 97 having a substantially constant width dimension (horizontal dimension) and a connector portion 98 having a width wider than the tongue pressure connecting portion 97. ing. Further, the connecting portions 96 and 96 have a shape corresponding to the left and right both side edges of the quotient measuring sheet portion 16 in the quotient force sensor sheet 12, and have a certain width dimension from the front end of the tongue pressure connecting sheet portion 94. It extends forward while curving outward in the left-right direction, bends inward in the left-right direction at the front ends of the connecting portions 96, 96, and is connected to the front end of the tongue pressure measuring portion 92.

The tongue pressure measuring portion 92 is a tongue as a region for detecting with an electric signal the pressure exerted by being inserted into the oral cavity and pressing the tongue against the upper jaw and being sandwiched between the tongue and the upper jaw. It has a pressure-sensitive unit 100. As shown in FIG. 8, in the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100, the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the tongue pressure second electrode 104, which are a pair of flexible tongue pressure electrodes, are formed from a dielectric in the sheet thickness direction. It is configured to be arranged so as to face each other with the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 as the elastic layer interposed therebetween.

The tongue pressure first conductive wire 108 connected to the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the tongue pressure second conductive wire 110 connected to the tongue pressure second electrode 104 pass over the connecting portions 96 and 96 to the tongue. It extends continuously to the compression connection sheet portion 94. In the tongue pressure connecting sheet portion 94, the tongue pressure first and second conductive wires 108 and 110 extend over substantially the entire length in the length direction. In the connector portion 98, the connection ends of the tongue pressure first and second conductive wires 108 and 110 extending from the tongue pressure measurement portion 92 are exposed, and are detachably connected to the connector portion on the control device 14 side. By doing so, it is electrically connected to the side of the external control device 14 by being conducted to the electric circuit.

In the present embodiment, the tongue pressure measurement portion 92 and the tongue pressure connection sheet portion 94 have a laminated structure consisting of a plurality of layers. Specifically, the first electrode sheet 112 for tongue pressure (see FIG. 11), the second electrode sheet 114 for tongue pressure (see FIG. 12), the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure (see FIG. 13), and the guard for tongue pressure. The tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 is formed with a laminated sheet structure in which the electrode layer 116 (see FIG. 14) is laminated and integrated with each other in the sheet thickness direction. In the tongue pressure first electrode sheet 112 and the tongue pressure second electrode sheet 114, the tongue pressure first substrate 118 and the tongue pressure second substrate 128, which will be described later, are the occlusal force first substrate 40 and the occlusal force second substrate. Like 48, it is a transparent member. The first electrode sheet 112 for tongue pressure and the second electrode sheet 114 for tongue pressure are each formed by a conventionally known printing method such as silk screen printing.

As shown in FIG. 11, the tongue pressure first electrode sheet 112 has a pair of tongue pressure electrodes (tongue pressure first and second electrodes 102, 104) on the upper surface of the tongue pressure first substrate 118 having electrical insulation. On the other hand, it has a structure in which the first electrode 102 for tongue pressure is formed. The tongue pressure first substrate 118 can be formed of, for example, the same material as the quotient first substrate 40 and the quotient second substrate 48. Further, the first electrode 102 for tongue pressure and the first conductive wire 108 for tongue pressure can be formed of, for example, the same materials as the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force, respectively.

In the tongue pressure first substrate 118, the front side portion 120 constituting the tongue pressure measurement portion 92 and the rear side portion 122 constituting the tongue pressure connection sheet portion 94 are connected on one side (left side) (first connection). It has a structure connected by the part 96a). The tongue pressure first electrode 102 is overlapped and fixed to the front side portion 120.

The first electrode 102 for tongue pressure is made of the same material as the first electrode 20 for quotient force and the second electrode 22 for quotient force, and is formed on the surface (upper surface) of the first substrate 118 for tongue pressure. In the present embodiment, the first electrode 102 for tongue pressure has a rectangular shape with substantially rounded corners, and is composed of one electrode. Further, the tongue pressure first conductive wire 108 extends from the tongue pressure first electrode 102, passes over the first connecting portion 96a, and reaches the rear end portion of the tongue pressure first substrate 118. The tongue pressure first conductive wire 108 extends substantially straight at the rear portion 122 of the tongue pressure first substrate 118, and is connected to the tongue pressure first terminal 124 at the rear end portion which is the connection end portion. The tongue pressure first terminal 124 is exposed to the outside at the connector portion 98 of the tongue pressure connection sheet portion 94, and when the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 is connected to the control device 14, the electric circuit on the side of the control device 14 It is designed to be electrically connected to.

Further, a resist layer 126 made of an insulating synthetic resin is provided on the surface (upper surface) of the first electrode sheet 112 for tongue pressure. The resist layer 126 is provided so as to cover the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the tongue pressure first conductive wire 108, and in the present embodiment, the resist layer 126 covers the entire surface of the upper surface of the tongue pressure first electrode sheet 112. A resist layer 126 is provided. The resist layer 126 can be formed, for example, as a transparent or opaque layer.

As shown in FIG. 12, the tongue pressure second electrode sheet 114 has a pair of tongue pressure electrodes (tongue pressure first and second electrodes 102, 104) on the upper surface of the tongue pressure second base 128 having electrical insulation. It has a structure in which the second electrode 104 for tongue pressure, which is the other of the above, is formed. The tongue pressure second substrate 128 may be formed of, for example, the same material as the tongue pressure first substrate 118. Further, the tongue pressure second electrode 104 and the tongue pressure second conductive wire 110 can be formed of, for example, the same materials as the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the tongue pressure first conductive wire 108, respectively.

The tongue pressure second substrate 128 has a shape in which the tongue pressure first substrate 118 is inverted left and right in a plan view, and the front side portion 130 constituting the tongue pressure measuring portion 92 and the rear side portion constituting the tongue pressure connecting sheet portion 94. 132 has a structure connected by the other (right) connecting portion 96 (second connecting portion 96b). A second electrode 104 for tongue pressure is overlapped and fixed to the front side portion 130.

The tongue pressure second electrode 104 is formed in the same shape and size as the tongue pressure first electrode 102, and is made of the same material as the tongue pressure first electrode 102. The tongue pressure second electrode 104 is formed on the surface (lower surface) of the tongue pressure second substrate 128. In the present embodiment, the second electrode 104 for tongue pressure is composed of one electrode. Further, the tongue pressure second conductive wire 110 extends from the tongue pressure second electrode 104, passes over the second connecting portion 96b, and reaches the rear end portion of the tongue pressure second substrate 128. The tongue pressure second conductive wire 110 extends substantially straight at the rear portion 132 of the tongue pressure second substrate 128, and is connected to the tongue pressure second terminal 134 at the rear end portion which is the connection end portion. The tongue pressure second terminal 134 is exposed to the outside at the connector portion 98 of the tongue pressure connection sheet portion 94, and when the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 is connected to the control device 14, the electric circuit on the side of the control device 14 It is designed to be electrically connected to.

Further, a resist layer 136 made of an insulating synthetic resin is provided on the surface (lower surface) of the second electrode sheet 114 for tongue pressure. The resist layer 136 is provided so as to cover the tongue pressure second electrode 104 and the tongue pressure second conductive wire 110, and in the present embodiment, the resist layer 136 covers the entire surface of the upper surface of the tongue pressure second electrode sheet 114. A resist layer 136 is provided. The resist layer 136 can be formed, for example, as a transparent or opaque layer.

As shown in FIG. 8, a tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 is arranged between the facing surfaces of the tongue pressure first electrode sheet 112 and the tongue pressure second electrode sheet 114 as described above, and the tongue pressure first electrode sheet 112 is used. The electrode sheet 112 and the second electrode sheet 114 for tongue pressure are overlapped with each other with the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 interposed therebetween in the sheet thickness direction. The dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure is made of the same material as the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force, and is capable of elastic compression deformation in the vertical direction, which is the sheet thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 of the present embodiment has a rectangular shape with the rear corners rounded in a plan view, and is abbreviated as the tongue pressure first and second electrodes 102 and 104. It has a corresponding size and spreads in the direction of the sheet surface (horizontal direction and orthogonal to the vertical direction). Further, the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape, and the sheet thickness dimension (vertical dimension) is substantially constant over the entire surface.

In the present embodiment, the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 is superposed over substantially the entire surface of the front side portion 120 of the tongue pressure first electrode sheet 112 and the front side portion 130 of the tongue pressure second electrode sheet 114, respectively, on both the upper and lower surfaces. It is fixed and fixed, and constitutes a tongue pressure measuring portion 92 (tongue pressure sensitive portion 100) in the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84. Further, the rear side portion 122 of the first electrode sheet 112 for tongue pressure and the rear side portion 132 of the second electrode sheet 114 for tongue pressure are overlapped and fixed over substantially the entire surface.

The dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure of the present embodiment is formed of a foam of synthetic resin like the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force, but the pressure sensitive sensitivity of the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure is the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force. It is higher than the pressure sensitive sensitivity of. The method of increasing the pressure-sensitive sensitivity of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 as compared with the pressure-sensitive sensitivity of the occlusal force dielectric layer 24 is not limited, but in the present embodiment, the thickness dimension of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 is not limited. T ₁ (see FIG. 8) is made larger than the thickness dimension T ₂ (see FIG. 8) of the dielectric layer 24 for occlusal force. Further, in the present embodiment, the elastic repulsive force of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 is smaller than the elastic repulsive force of the quotient dielectric layer 24. For example, the foaming rate of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 is for quotient force. It is made larger than the foaming ratio of the dielectric layer 24. As a result, the pressure-sensitive sensitivity of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 is made higher than the pressure-sensitive sensitivity of the bite force quotient dielectric layer 24.

Then, the first electrode sheet 112 for tongue pressure and the second electrode sheet 114 for tongue pressure are overlapped with each other with the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure interposed therebetween, so that the first electrode sheet 102 for tongue pressure is as shown in FIG. And the second electrode 104 for tongue pressure are arranged so as to face each other with the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure interposed therebetween. Has been done. That is, in the present embodiment, the tongue pressure detecting element 138 having a substantially rectangular shape is formed with one sensing region (cell shape).

Similar to the occlusal force detecting element 56, the tongue pressure detecting element 138 has a tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 having a large dielectric constant arranged between the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the tongue pressure second electrode 104, which are conductors. Therefore, the electrostatic capacity type tongue pressure sensitive unit 100 is configured.

Further, the surface (lower surface) of the first electrode sheet 112 for tongue pressure opposite to the overlapping surface with the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure, that is, the surface side (lower side) that becomes the lingual side when worn on the oral cavity. The tongue pressure guard electrode layer 116 is superposed. As shown in FIG. 14, the tongue pressure guard electrode layer 116 is formed on the upper surface of the flexible tongue pressure third substrate 140 having the same shape as the tongue pressure first substrate 118 and made of the same material. The guard electrode 142 is provided at a position substantially equal to that of the one electrode 102. The guard electrode 142 is made of a conductive material like the first and second electrodes 102 and 104 for tongue pressure and has flexibility, and the tongue pressure detecting element 138 (tongue pressure sensitive portion 100) is projected in the vertical direction. ) Is a shape that covers almost the entire area.

Further, the tongue pressure guard electrode layer 116 is formed in a laminated state in which the ground wiring 144 connected to the guard electrode 142 is overlapped. The ground wiring 144 is electrically connected to the guard electrode 142, extends rearward from the guard electrode 142, and is connected to a ground terminal 146 provided at the rear end of the third substrate 140 for tongue pressure. ing. The ground wiring 144 is preferably made of a material having an electric resistance smaller than that of the guard electrode 142, and is also formed on the guard electrode 142. In the present embodiment, the resist layer 148 is also provided on the tongue pressure guard electrode layer 116, and particularly in the present embodiment, the resist layer 148 is provided over the entire surface (upper surface) of the tongue pressure guard electrode layer 116. Has been done. The resist layer 148 can be formed, for example, as a transparent or opaque layer.

Furthermore, the reinforcing sheet 150 is overlapped and fixed to the connector portion 98 of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84. The reinforcing sheet 150 is formed to have substantially the same shape and the same size as the reinforcing sheet 66 superimposed on the connector portion 32 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12, and as shown in FIG. 9, the tongue pressure guard electrode. It is overlapped and fixed to the outer surface (lower surface) at the rear end portion of the layer 116. Further, the reinforcing sheet 150 covers the tongue pressure first terminal 124, the tongue pressure second terminal 134, and the ground terminal 146 in a plan view, and is formed to have substantially the same shape and the same size as the reinforcing sheet 66. Therefore, it partially overlaps with the quotient dielectric layer 24 in the front-rear direction. The reinforcing sheet 150 may be formed of the same material as the reinforcing sheet 66 in the quotient force sensor sheet 12.

As described above, the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force, the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force, the dielectric layer 24 for quotient force, the guard electrode layer 38 for quotient force, and the reinforcing sheet 66 are overlapped and fixed to each other. , The quotient force sensor sheet 12 of this embodiment is configured. Further, the first electrode sheet 112 for tongue pressure, the second electrode sheet 114 for tongue pressure, the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure, the guard electrode layer 116 for tongue pressure, and the reinforcing sheet 150 are overlapped and fixed to each other. The tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 is configured. The quotient force sensor sheet 12 and the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 are overlapped and fixed to each other to form the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 is located below the occlusal force sensor sheet 12, and the lower surface of the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 and the upper surface of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 are aligned with each other. They are overlapped with each other and fixed to each other. Each layer and / or each sheet constituting the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 can be fixed by a conventionally known method such as adhesion or welding.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the tongue pressure measuring portion 92 of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 is located at a position corresponding to the recess 42 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12. Specifically, the tongue pressure measuring portion 92 (tongue pressure sensitive portion 100) is located in the inner region of the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion 19 (plural occlusal force detecting elements 56) which is a substantially U-shaped region. The occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion 19 and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion 100 are defined to have a mutual positional relationship in the seat surface direction (horizontal direction and orthogonal to the vertical direction) so as not to overlap each other in a plan view. It is provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in a plan view, the left and right sides of the tongue pressure measuring portion 92 overlap with the quotient force wiring portions 30 located on the left and right sides of the recess 42 in the quotient force sensor sheet 12. ing. In short, the left and right sides of the tongue pressure measuring portion 92 are covered from above by the quotient force sensor sheet 12 having the quotient force guard electrode layer 38. As a result, the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 is displaced from the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19 in the sheet thickness direction so as to be located on the surface side (lower side) which is the tongue side when worn on the oral cavity. Has been done. For example, in the quotient guard electrode layer 38 of the quotient force sensor sheet 12, the upper surface of the tongue pressure measuring portion 92 is overlapped with the quotient guard electrode layer 38 over the entire surface by not providing the recess 42 in the front portion. At the same time, the entire measurement portion 92 for tongue pressure may be covered with the guard electrode layer 38 for quotient force.

In the present embodiment, at the rear end portion of the oral pressure sensor sheet 82, the connector portion 32 of the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 and the connector portion 98 of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 are sandwiched and fixed from both upper and lower sides. Can be attached. By connecting the holding member 67 to the control device 14, the tongue pressure first terminal 124, the tongue pressure second terminal 134, and the ground terminal 146 in the connector portion 98 are electrically connected to the control device 14. It has become. By connecting the ground terminal 146 to the control device 14, the guard electrode 142 is grounded, and the guard electrode 142 is maintained at the reference potential or the same potential as the superposed first electrode 102 for tongue pressure. You may.

The control device 14 is connected to the tongue pressure first and second electrodes 102 and 104 by the tongue pressure first and second conductive wires 108 and 110, and the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the tongue pressure second electrode 104 are connected to each other. A power supply device that applies a voltage for measuring capacitance between them, a detecting means that detects the amount of change in capacitance in the tongue pressure detecting element 138, and a tongue pressure based on the detection result of the capacitance by the detecting means. It may be provided with a calculation means for calculation. The means for calculating the quotient force from the detection result detected by the occlusal force detecting element 56 and the means for calculating the tongue pressure from the detection result detected by the tongue pressure detecting element 138 may be different from each other. .. Alternatively, the detecting means for detecting the amount of change in the capacitance in the quotient force detecting element 56 and the detecting means for detecting the amount of change in the capacitance in the tongue pressure detecting element 138 may be different from each other.

In the oral pressure sensor sheet 82, the measurement portion 86a including the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19 and the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 may be covered with, for example, a detachable waterproof cover 68, which is exhibited by the waterproof cover 68. It is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, a specific example of a method for detecting tongue pressure in a detection target using the oral pressure detection device 80 provided with the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 of the present embodiment will be described. The method for detecting tongue pressure is not limited to the method described below. Further, since the measurement of the quotient force is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

First, the measurement portion 86a of the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 equipped with the waterproof cover 68 is inserted between the upper and lower teeth in the oral cavity of the detection target, and a plurality of occlusal force detecting elements 56 arranged in a U shape are inserted. The tongue pressure sensitive unit 100 (tongue pressure detecting element 138) is arranged above the tongue of the detection target person while being held at a position corresponding to the tooth row of the detection target person. The positioning of the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 is achieved by, for example, a guide 54 provided in the measurement portion 86a.

The oral pressure sensor sheet 82 is inserted into the oral cavity of the detection target with the quotient guard electrode layer 38 and the tongue pressure guard electrode layer 116 facing the lingual side of the detection target. As a result, the noise caused by the tongue of the detection target contacting the measurement portion 86a is reduced by the guard electrodes 60 and 142, and the detection accuracy is improved.

Next, the power of the control device 14 is turned on, and the detection voltage between the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for occlusal force and between the first and second electrodes 102 and 104 for tongue pressure by the power supply device of the control device 14 is turned on. And while appropriately instructing the patient to occlude and move the tongue, the detection and detection of the electrostatic capacitance of the occlusal force detecting element 56 and the tongue pressure detecting element 138 by the detecting means of the control device 14 The calculation of the occlusal force and the tongue pressure by the calculation means based on the capacitance value detected by the means is started. From the application of the detection voltage between the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient to the calculation of the occlusal force, and from the application of the detection voltage between the first and second electrodes 102 and 104 for tongue pressure. The calculation of the tongue pressure may be performed at the same time, or may be performed sequentially from any one of them, and the accuracy may be improved by performing repeated measurements a plurality of times. It is also possible.

When detecting tongue pressure, the detection target is instructed to press the tongue against the oral pressure sensor sheet 82, and the tongue pressure of the detection target is caused to act on the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84. Then, when the detection target presses the tongue against the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 of the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84, the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 of the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 is compressed up and down between the tongue and the upper jaw of the detection target. At the same time, the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the tongue pressure second electrode 104 provided on one side of the upper and lower sides of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 are displaced from each other according to the occlusal force applied. As a result, the capacitance of the tongue pressure detecting element 138 on which the tongue pressure is applied increases.

The change in capacitance is detected by the detection means in the control device 14, and the change in capacitance detected by the detection means is detected by the quotient force calculation means or the tongue pressure calculation means in the control device 14. It is calculated as the bite force quotient and tongue pressure acting on 56 and the tongue pressure detecting element 138. By displaying or printing the quotient force and tongue pressure calculated in this way on, for example, a monitor connected to the control device 14, and outputting the quotient force and tongue pressure to the outside, the quotient force and tongue pressure are output by the oral pressure detection device 80. Can be detected. That is, the occlusal force exerted in the opposite direction of the pair of quotient electrodes (first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient) is the pair of electrodes for quotient (first and second electrodes 20 for quotient). 22) It is detected as an electric signal based on the change in capacitance due to the change in the facing distance. Further, the tongue pressure exerted on the opposite side of the pair of tongue pressure electrodes (first and second tongue pressure electrodes 102, 104) opposes the pair of tongue pressure electrodes (first and second tongue pressure electrodes 102, 104). It is now detected as an electrical signal based on the change in capacitance due to the change in distance.

The output signal of the occlusal force detected by the paired occlusal force electrodes and the output signal of the tongue pressure detected by the paired tongue pressure electrodes are taken out from the respective output terminals and are taken out by the control device 14. It is desirable to input to different processing circuits. Then, the quotient force output signal is calculated by the quotient force processing circuit, and the tongue pressure output signal is calculated by the tongue pressure processing circuit through different calculation means that perform different arithmetic processing. Is desirable. As a result, the accuracy and efficiency can be improved by processing the quotient force and the tongue pressure, which differ in magnitude so that the unit of the measured value is different, by an arithmetic expression suitable for each.

According to the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, since the entire measurement portion 86a is in the form of a flexible sheet, the measurement portion 86a can be chewed or the tongue can be placed on the measurement portion 86a. By pressing, both quotient force and tongue pressure can be easily measured. In particular, there is little risk of misalignment when measuring tongue pressure, preventing measurement defects and improving measurement accuracy. In addition, since it is not bulky and can be easily inserted into and removed from the oral cavity, the efficiency of storage, handling, and use can be improved.

Further, since the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 has the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 that can be elastically deformed in the sheet thickness direction, it can be deformed according to the shape in the oral cavity, thereby. It is possible to reduce the discomfort of the patient and improve the measurement accuracy of the tongue pressure. Furthermore, since the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure has a flat plate shape that spreads in the direction of the sheet surface, the tongue can be brought into contact with the tongue over a wider area, and the measurement accuracy of the tongue pressure can be further improved. ..

Further, in the present embodiment, both the quotient force pressure sensitive unit 19 for detecting the quotient force and the tongue pressure pressure sensitive unit 100 for detecting the tongue pressure are capacitive type. As a result, the quotient force and the tongue pressure can be accurately detected while the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19 and the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 have shapes suitable for detecting the quotient force and the tongue pressure, respectively. In other words, by making the occlusal force pressure-sensitive unit 19 and the tongue pressure-sensitive unit 100 each a capacitance type, the occlusal force pressure-sensitive unit 19 can accurately detect the occlusal force and the tongue pressure. And the shape of the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 can be appropriately set.

In general, the tongue pressure is sufficiently smaller than the quotient force. Therefore, when the occlusal force and the tongue pressure are measured simultaneously or sequentially, the occlusal force is increased by increasing the pressure-sensitive sensitivity of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 as compared with the pressure-sensitive sensitivity of the occlusal force dielectric layer 24. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the sensitivity becomes too high for detection and the influence of noise becomes large, or the sensitivity becomes too low for detecting tongue pressure and a sufficient signal cannot be obtained. The sensitivity of the occlusal force dielectric layer 24 and the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 may be set so that, for example, the thickness dimension T1 of the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106 is larger than the thickness dimension T2 of the occlusal force dielectric layer 24. By making the elastic repulsive force of the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure smaller than the elastic repulsive force of the dielectric layer 24 for occlusal force (making the foaming rate of the dielectric layer 106 for tongue pressure larger than the foaming rate of the dielectric layer 24 for occlusal force). , Can be realized.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tongue pressure sensitive portion 100 is located on the lingual side (lower side) with respect to the quotient pressure sensitive portion 19 in a state where the measurement portion 86a is inserted into the oral cavity. As a result, when measuring the occlusal force and the tongue pressure, the patient's tongue and the tongue pressure sensitive portion are easily contacted even when the occlusal force and the tongue pressure are measured simultaneously or sequentially, and the tongue pressure is measured. Efficiency and accuracy can be improved.

In the second embodiment, the quotient force sensor sheet 12 and the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 are separately configured and overlapped with each other, but the oral pressure sensor sheets 160, 162, 164 shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 As described above, a part of the members may be shared. In addition, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 may be adopted in combination of at least two.

For example, in the oral pressure sensor sheet 160 shown in FIG. 15, the second substrate 48 for quotient force and the second substrate 128 for tongue pressure in the embodiment are configured as the second substrate 166 as a common substrate. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the second base 166 is shaped so that the recess 42 is not provided at the front end of the second base 48 for quotient force in the embodiment, and the second base 166 is formed. The second electrode 22 for quotient force and the second electrode 104 for tongue pressure are overlapped and fixed to the lower surface of the above. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion 19 and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion 100 are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the sheet thickness direction (vertical direction). Like the sensor sheet 160, the lower surface of the second base 166 is used as a common reference surface 168, and the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion 170 and the tongue pressure sensitive portion 172 are in one sheet surface direction (horizontal direction and orthogonal to the vertical direction). It may be spread out in the direction of) and arranged side by side. In short, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, on one side (lower side) of the second substrate 166 in the sheet thickness direction, a pair of electrodes for quotient force (first for quotient force) constituting the occlusal force pressure sensitive portion 170. And the second electrode 20, 22) and the pair of tongue pressure electrodes (the first and second electrodes 102, 104 for tongue pressure) constituting the tongue pressure sensitive portion 172 with respect to the second base material 166 which is a common base material. It is formed in a laminated state. By adopting the common second substrate 166 as in this embodiment, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the oral pressure sensor sheet 162 shown in FIG. 16, the guard electrode layer 38 for quotient force and the guard electrode layer 116 for tongue pressure in the embodiment are configured by a common guard electrode layer 174. That is, the guard electrode layer 174 has a third substrate 176 shaped so that the concave portion 42 is not provided at the front end of the third substrate 58 for quotient force in the above embodiment, and the quotient force pressure sensitive portion 19 and the tongue pressure sensitive portion. It is configured to include a guard electrode 178 having a shape capable of covering 100, and a resist layer 180 covering the entire upper surface of the third substrate 176. Also in this embodiment, by adopting the common guard electrode layer 174, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the oral pressure sensor sheet 164 shown in FIG. 17, the same second base 166 as in FIG. 15 is provided, and the lower surface of the second base 166 has an occlusal force pressure sensitive portion 182 and a tongue pressure feeling. A plurality of second electrodes 186 common to the compression unit 184 are provided with the same material, forming method, thickness dimension, and the like. The plurality of second electrodes 186 can be formed, for example, all extending straight in the front-rear direction. Then, for example, the same occlusal force first electrode 20 and tongue pressure first electrode 102 as in the above embodiment can be adopted, and the occlusal force first electrode 20 and the second electrode 186 are occluded at opposite positions. The force detection element 188 and the occlusal force pressure sensitive unit 182 are configured, and the tongue pressure detection element 190 and the tongue pressure sensitive unit 184 are configured at positions facing the tongue pressure first electrode 102 and the second electrode 186. Also in this embodiment, by adopting the common second electrode 186, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited by the specific description thereof.

The reinforcing material provided in the wiring portion is not limited to the resist layers 47 and 52 and the bite force quotient dielectric layer 24 exemplified in the above embodiment, and is used to reinforce a separate body such as the reinforcing sheet 66 in the above embodiment. The material may be fixed to the wiring portion from the outside of the quotient force sensor sheet, or the portion corresponding to the wiring portion in the first substrate for quotient force or the second substrate for quotient force may be formed thick. May be good. That is, in the above embodiment, the reinforcing material (resist layers 47, 52 and the quotient dielectric layer 24) provided in the quotient force wiring portion 30 is provided inside the quotient force sensor sheet 12, but the reinforcing material is , May be provided outside the quotient force sensor sheet. In such a case, by providing the reinforcing material only in the wiring portion without providing the pressure-sensitive portion, it is possible to avoid hindering the patient's biting operation and deteriorating the detection accuracy of the bite force. Further, such a reinforcing material can be provided, for example, on the left and right side edges of the measurement sheet portion, and this reinforcing material can also be used as a guide for positioning in the oral cavity.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the quotient dielectric layer 24 and / or the resist layers 47 and 52 are used as reinforcing materials, and the reinforcing materials are indirectly used via the first and second electrodes 20 and 22 for quotient force. Although it was superposed on the first and second conductive wires for quotient force 26, 28, a reinforcing material (for example, a dielectric layer or a resist layer) was directly superposed on the first and second conductive wires for quotient force. You may.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, both the first conductive wire 26 for quotient force and the second conductive wire 28 for quotient force are reinforced by a reinforcing material (dielectric layer 24 for quotient force and / or resist layers 47, 52). However, at least one of the first conductive wire for quotient force and the second conductive wire for quotient force may be reinforced by a reinforcing material.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the resist layers 47 and 52 are provided on both the first electrode sheet 34 for quotient force and the second electrode sheet 36 for quotient force, but one of the electrode sheets is resisted. Only layers may be provided.

Further, in the first embodiment, the quotient force sensor sheet 12 is a capacitance type, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the occlusal force sensor sheet according to the present invention may be in the form of a flexible sheet and may have a pressure-sensitive portion capable of detecting the occlusal force as an electric signal. For example, a piezoelectric layer is arranged between the facing surfaces of a pair of electrodes to detect an occlusal force as an electric signal based on a change in voltage, and a conductive rubber or the like can be elastically deformed between the facing surfaces of the pair of electrodes. A resistance layer may be arranged to detect the occlusal force as an electric signal based on the change in electric resistance. In the case of a quotient force sensor sheet other than the capacitance type, the dielectric layer is not indispensable, and in that case, the reinforcing material may be composed only of the resist layer, or the piezoelectric layer made of an elastic material. It is also possible to construct a reinforcing material by using a resistance layer or a resistance layer. Further, in the case of the capacitance type as in the above embodiment, the resist layer is not indispensable, and the reinforcing material may be composed of a dielectric layer.

Similarly, in the second embodiment, the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 constituting the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 is a capacitance type, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the tongue pressure sensor sheet is not limited to this. Can also be a piezoelectric type or resistance type pressure sensor sheet. Further, the quotient force sensor sheet and the tongue pressure sensor sheet may have different detection principles.

Further, in the above embodiment, the guide 54 for positioning the occlusal force sensor sheet 12 and the tongue pressure sensor sheet 84 in the oral cavity is provided so as to project upward from the second occlusal force electrode sheet 36, for example, the upper front tooth. The positioning effect was exhibited by contacting the upper lip and the upper lip, but it is provided so as to project downward from the first electrode sheet, guard electrode layer, tongue pressure sensor sheet, etc., and hits, for example, the lower front teeth and lower lip. The positioning effect may be exhibited by touching. It should be noted that such a guide is not limited to one that protrudes outward in the vertical direction, and may be a scale, a mark, a print, or the like indicating the position of the quotient force sensor sheet in the oral cavity. Further, the guides may be provided on both the upper and lower sides of the quotient force sensor sheet, and for example, two of the guides exemplified above may be used in combination.

The arrangement mode of the first electrode for quotient force and the second electrode for quotient force is not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, if it is not necessary to grasp the distribution of the quotient force, only one quotient force detecting element may be provided in the quotient force pressure sensitive portion. Thereby, the quotient force in a specific tooth can be selectively detected by one occlusal force detecting element. In this case, the first and second substrates for quotient may be, for example, a straight band, and only one of each of the first and second electrodes for quotient is provided. However, it is also possible to detect the occlusal force of the entire dentition by one occlusal force detecting element by providing one each of the first and second electrodes for the occlusal force having a curved shape corresponding to the dentition.

Further, when a plurality of first electrodes for quotient force are provided, the plurality of first electrodes for quotient force do not necessarily have to have the same width dimension, for example, the size of the tooth to be abutted. The width dimension may be different depending on the situation. Further, as the second electrode for quotient force, a plurality of types having different width dimensions can be similarly adopted. In addition, the first electrode for quotient force and the second electrode for quotient force do not necessarily have the same width dimension. The same applies when a plurality of tongue pressure first electrodes and tongue pressure second electrodes are provided.

Furthermore, the first electrode for quotient force and the second electrode for quotient force may be, for example, a circle or a square provided in a spot in a plan view. Similarly, the shape of the detection element is not limited to the square or rhombus exemplified in the embodiment. This also applies to the first electrode for tongue pressure, the second electrode for tongue pressure, and the tongue pressure detecting element.

In the above embodiment, in the first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient force, a connecting portion 44 is provided in the middle portion in the left-right direction, and both side portions in the left-right direction are connected by the connecting portion 44, whereby the first electrode for quotient force is connected. 20e to 20i are all formed as one electrode, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, by connecting the left and right side portions of the first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient force by the first conductive wire 26 for occlusal force provided on the first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient force without providing the connecting portion 44. , The first electrodes 20e to 20i for quotient force may be formed as one electrode. In this case, the first conductive wire 26 for quotient that connects the electrodes on both the left and right sides can also obtain a reinforcing effect by superimposing the resist layers 47 and 52 and the dielectric layer 24 for quotient, which are reinforcing materials. can.

In the second embodiment, the tongue pressure first and second electrodes 102, 104, the tongue pressure dielectric layer 106, and the like constituting the tongue pressure measurement portion 92 (tongue pressure sensitive portion 100) are all flat plates. However, for example, the dielectric layer for tongue pressure may be hemispherical or may be provided with irregularities. Further, in the dielectric layer for tongue pressure, the portion in contact with the tongue may be concave to make it easier to catch the tongue, or the portion in contact with the tongue may be convex to make it easier to wrap with the tongue. Further, the tongue pressure dielectric layer may be hollowed out at the center in the surface direction so that the tongue pressure dielectric layer can be deformed from a low pressure, or the center in the thickness direction may be hollow. That is, the sheet thickness dimension and the solid / hollow structure of the dielectric layer for tongue pressure may be the same over the whole or may be partially different. As a result, the shape of the tongue pressure dielectric layer can be appropriately set according to the shape of the patient's oral cavity, and the tongue pressure dielectric layer can be deformed in consideration of the magnitude of the tongue pressure as an external force acting and the physical characteristics of the dielectric to be adopted. It is also possible to adjust the ease of use in a larger range. The tongue pressure first and second electrodes may have any shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the tongue pressure dielectric layer.

In the oral pressure sensor sheet 82 shown in the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the quotient force sensor sheet 12 having a structure according to the first embodiment provided with a reinforcing material superposed on the conductive wire is used. In the present invention relating to the pressure sensor sheet for oral cavity, for example, a quotient force sensor sheet having a different structure that does not have a reinforcing material superimposed on the conductive wire can be adopted.

10 Bite force quotient detection device 12 Bite force quotient sensor sheet (first embodiment)
14 Control device 16 Bite force quotient measurement sheet part (measurement sheet part)
18 Bite force quotient connection sheet part (connection sheet part)
19 Bite force quotient pressure sensitive part (pressure sensitive part)
20, 20a to 20i Bite force quotient first electrode (electrode)
22, 22a-22j Bite force quotient second electrode (electrode)
24 Dielectric layer for quotient force (reinforcing material)
26 First conductive wire for quotient force (conductive wire)
28 Second conductive wire for quotient force (conductive wire)
30 Bite force quotient wiring part (wiring part)
32 Connector part 33 Bite force quotient connection part 34 Bite force quotient first electrode sheet (first electrode sheet)
36 Bite force quotient second electrode sheet (second electrode sheet)
38 Bite force quotient guard electrode layer 40 Bite force quotient first substrate 41a Front side part 41b Rear part 42 Recessed part 44 Connecting part 46 Bite force quotient first terminal 47 Resist layer (reinforcing material)
48 Bite force quotient second substrate 49a Front part 49b Posterior part 50 Bite force quotient second terminal 52 Resist layer (reinforcing material)
54 Guide 55a Front part 55b Rear part 56 Bite force quotient detection element 58 Bite force quotient third substrate 60 Guard electrode 62 Ground wiring 64 Ground terminal 65 Resist layer 66 Reinforcing sheet (reinforcing material)
67 Holding member 68 Waterproof cover 80 Oral pressure detector 82 Oral pressure sensor sheet (second embodiment)
84 Tongue pressure sensor sheet 86a Measurement part 86b Connection part 92 Tongue pressure measurement part 94 Tongue pressure connection sheet part 96 Connection part 96a First connection part 96b Second connection part 97 Tongue pressure connection part 98 Connector part 100 Tongue pressure sensitive part 102 Tongue First pressure electrode (tongue pressure electrode)
104 Second electrode for tongue pressure (electrode for tongue pressure)
106 Dielectric layer for tongue pressure (elastic layer)
108 First conductive wire for tongue pressure 110 Second conductive wire for tongue pressure 112 First electrode sheet for tongue pressure 114 Second electrode sheet for tongue pressure 116 Guard electrode layer for tongue pressure 118 First substrate for tongue pressure 120 Front part 122 Rear part 124 First terminal for tongue pressure 126 Resist layer 128 Second base for tongue pressure 130 Front part 132 Rear part 134 Second terminal for tongue pressure 136 Resist layer 138 Tongue pressure detection element 140 Third base for tongue pressure 142 Guard electrode 144 Ground wiring 146 Ground terminal 148 Resist layer 150 Reinforcing sheet 160 Oral pressure sensor sheet (Fig. 15)
162 Oral pressure sensor sheet (Fig. 16)
164 Oral pressure sensor sheet (Fig. 17)
166 Second base 168 Reference surface 170 Bite pressure sensitive part 172 Tongue pressure sensitive part 174 Guard electrode layer 176 Third base 178 Guard electrode 180 Resist layer 182 Bite force pressure sensitive part 184 Tongue pressure sensitive part 186 Second electrode 188 Bite force Detection element 190 Tongue pressure detection element

Claims (24)

1. A flexible quotient sensor sheet that is inserted into the oral cavity to detect the quotient force of teeth.
   It has a measurement sheet portion that is inserted into the oral cavity and a connection sheet portion that extends out of the oral cavity from the measurement sheet portion.
   The measurement sheet portion is provided with a pressure-sensitive portion in which a pair of electrodes for detecting the quotient force as an electric signal are arranged so as to face each other in the sheet thickness direction.
   A quotient force sensor sheet in which a reinforcing material superimposed on the conductive wire is provided in a wiring portion in which a conductive wire conducting the measurement sheet portion and extending to the connection sheet portion is arranged.
2. Also in the connection sheet part
   The quotient force sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing material superposed on the conductive wire extending from the wiring portion in the measurement sheet portion is provided.
3. 2. The second aspect of the present invention, wherein the reinforcing material in the measuring sheet portion according to claim 1 and the reinforcing material in the connecting sheet portion according to claim 2 are continuously and integrally provided. Bite force quotient sensor sheet.
4. In the measurement sheet portion
   The occlusal force sensor sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing material is connected from the wiring portion to the pressure sensitive portion.
5. A dielectric layer that can be elastically deformed in the sheet thickness direction is arranged between the facing surfaces of the pair of electrodes, and the occlusal force exerted in the facing direction of the pair of electrodes changes the facing distance of the pair of electrodes. The occlusal force sensor sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is to be detected based on a change in capacitance due to.
6. A flexible first electrode sheet on which one of the pair of electrodes and the conductive wire conducted to the electrodes is formed.
   The other of the pair of electrodes and the flexible second electrode sheet on which the conductive wire conducted to the electrodes is formed.
   In addition to being overlapped in the sheet thickness direction with the dielectric layer sandwiched between them,
   A resist layer is formed on at least one of the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet so as to cover the electrode and the conductive wire.
   The quotient force sensor sheet according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing material is composed of the resist layer.
7. The quotient force sensor sheet according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the reinforcing material is composed of the dielectric layer.
8. The connection sheet portion
   The connection end portion of the conductive wire extending from the measurement sheet portion is positioned, and a connector portion connected to an external electric circuit is provided.
   The quotient force sensor sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reinforcing material is also provided in the connector portion.
9. The quotient force sensor sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the measurement sheet portion is provided with a guide for positioning in the oral cavity.
10. The entire measurement part inserted into the oral cavity is a flexible sheet-shaped oral pressure sensor sheet.
    In the measurement part,
    A bite force quotient pressure sensitive part that is provided in a substantially U-shaped area corresponding to the dentition and detects the quotient force as an electrical signal.
    The oral cavity is provided in a substantially U-shaped inner region of the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion, and a tongue pressure-sensitive portion that detects tongue pressure as an electric signal is provided at a mutual position in the seat surface direction. Pressure sensor sheet.
11. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to claim 10, wherein the tongue pressure sensitive portion has an elastic layer that can be elastically deformed in the sheet thickness direction.
12. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to claim 11, wherein the elastic layer of the tongue pressure-sensitive portion has the same or partially different sheet thickness dimensions over the entire surface in the sheet surface direction.
13. The elastic layer constituting the tongue pressure sensitive portion is a tongue pressure dielectric layer made of a dielectric, and a pair of flexible tongue pressure electrodes are arranged on both sides of the tongue pressure dielectric layer in the sheet thickness direction. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the tongue pressure is detected as an electric signal based on the change in the capacitance due to the change in the facing distance in the pair of tongue pressure electrodes.
14. The occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion has an occlusal force dielectric layer made of a dielectric that can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction, and a pair of flexible occlusal force dielectric layers on both sides in the sheet thickness direction. One of claims 10 to 13, wherein an occlusal force electrode is arranged, and the occlusal force is detected as an electric signal based on a change in capacitance due to a change in the facing distance between the pair of occlusal force electrodes. Oral pressure sensor sheet according to.
15. The tongue pressure-sensitive portion according to claim 13, wherein the tongue pressure-sensitive dielectric layer constituting the tongue pressure-sensitive portion is compared with the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion constituting the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to claim 14, which has a high pressure-sensitive sensitivity.
16. The tongue pressure-sensitive portion according to claim 13, wherein the tongue pressure-sensitive dielectric layer constituting the tongue pressure-sensitive portion is compared with the occlusal force-sensitive dielectric layer constituting the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the thickness dimension is increased.
17. The tongue pressure-sensitive portion according to claim 13, wherein the tongue pressure-sensitive dielectric layer constituting the tongue pressure-sensitive portion is compared with the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion constituting the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the elastic repulsive force is reduced.
18. The claim that the tongue pressure-sensitive portion is arranged so as to be displaced from each other in the sheet thickness direction so as to be located on the surface side that becomes the tongue side when worn on the oral cavity with respect to the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of 10 to 17.
19. 6. Oral pressure sensor sheet.
20. The quotient pressure sensitive portion is arranged so as to face each other in the sheet thickness direction and has a pair of quotient force electrodes for detecting the quotient force as an electric signal.
    The tongue pressure sensitive portion is arranged so as to face each other in the sheet thickness direction and has a pair of tongue pressure electrodes for detecting tongue pressure as an electric signal, and
    Any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the pair of electrodes for quotient force and the pair of electrodes for tongue pressure are laminated and formed on a common substrate on at least one side in the sheet thickness direction. Oral pressure sensor sheet according to.
21. The quotient pressure sensitive portion is arranged so as to face each other in the sheet thickness direction and has a pair of quotient force electrodes for detecting the quotient force as an electric signal.
    The tongue pressure sensitive portion is arranged so as to face each other in the sheet thickness direction and has a pair of tongue pressure electrodes for detecting tongue pressure as an electric signal, and
    The oral pressure according to any one of claims 10 to 20, wherein the pair of the bite force quotient electrodes and the pair of tongue pressure electrodes are both formed of a conductive flexible material made of the same material. Sensor sheet.
22. The measurement portion is located on the surface side that becomes the lingual side when worn on the oral cavity, and covers each region of the occlusal force pressure-sensitive portion and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion so as to overlap in the sheet thickness direction. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of claims 10 to 21, which is provided with a guard electrode.
23. The oral pressure sensor sheet according to any one of claims 10 to 22, wherein a waterproof cover member that covers both the bite force quotient pressure-sensitive portion and the tongue pressure-sensitive portion is detachably provided.
24. The pressure sensor sheet for the oral cavity according to any one of claims 10 to 23, wherein the measurement portion is provided with a guide for positioning in the oral cavity.

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